"Earl, do you mean..."
The ladies looked expectantly at Bella Belindel, while at that moment the only man around the sofa was Shard. Hence, the Countess glanced around, and Shard very gentlemanly stood up, turning his back towards the Witch and shielding her with his body.
[She closed her fan.]
Although Shard hadn't requested it, "her" voice still gently sounded immediately, tinged with laughter:
[She bent down, using the fan bones to lift the hem of her skirt, revealing red high heels and...]
Shard had already heard exclamations from behind, as people in other parts of the salon curiously looked over. But due to the position, they naturally couldn't see the shoes obscured by the sofa and coffee table. The Countess also lowered the hem of her skirt to cover her ankles at that moment.
