Rebecca stepped out of her room, her silk night robe swaying lightly as she stretched her arms. She had just finished a long phone call with one of her friends when she spotted her father standing at the end of the hallway, speaking with one of the house staff.

“Rebecca,” he called out, his voice carrying a note of excitement. “Mrs Margaret carter just called. She’s arranged for you to have dinner with Elias tomorrow night.”

The words barely left his mouth before Rebecca’s entire face lit up. “What? Are you serious?” she asked, her tone almost squealing with delight.

Her father gave a satisfied nod. “It’s already set. She...