The words were not loud. They did not need to be told to understand the gravity of it. Something in the tone silenced the remaining whispers before Penelope had even turned around.
Anthony stood at the edge of the gathering.
He had apparently left the terrace without her noticing, and he now approached with an unhurried composure. It was clear he had never found it necessary to rush to command a room, as his gaze moved from Gregory's outstretched hand to Penelope's rigid posture before settling upon the man himself.
For the first time since Gregory had approached her, Penelope felt the oppressive weight of the audience shift.
It did not disappear. If anything, the guests seemed more attentive now that Lord Ravenport had arrived. But their attention had acquired a different quality.
