It was the night of the Gala, and Ruby was in her bedroom, staring at a massive, velvet-lined box that had been delivered by two silent guards in the house.
They laid it gently on the bed and walked away before Ruby could ask what it was or who it was from. There was no card, only a single red rose tucked into the ribbon. She pulled the ribbon.
The lid fell away to reveal a gown that looked less like fabric and more like liquid midnight. It was a deep, shimmering blue, a Byron blue to be precise. The silk was heavy, expensive, and carried a subtle shimmer that caught the light with every movement.
Beside it sat a smaller box. Inside, a necklace of sapphires and diamonds lay against black silk, cold and brilliant.
"A gift from Mr. Byron," a maid whispered from the doorway. "He said to tell you that tonight, you aren't just a guest. You are the host."
