Maya's POV
The grand hall buzzed with even more activity when Penny and I finally descended the staircase. The elegant string quartet had given way to more upbeat music, and couples swayed across the impromptu dance floor that had been cleared in the center of the room. Arthur held court near the fireplace, surrounded by a circle of distinguished gentlemen who erupted in hearty laughter at whatever tale he was spinning.
Diamondrange chandeliers cast dancing reflections off the women's glittering diamonds and emeralds, sending prisms of light cascading across the silk-papered walls. I noticed several pairs of eyes tracking our movement down the marble steps—some filled with polite curiosity, others with the calculating assessment that seemed to follow me everywhere since becoming Mrs. Sterling. The constant evaluation was something I doubted I would ever grow comfortable with.
