The darkness of twilight had just begun to settle beyond the horizon of the western sky. Abigail Livermorny rested her shoulder against the doorway to her chambers, watching the oranges and yellows fade to pinks and blues in the evening sky. The castle walls nowhere near tall enough from her tower to obscure such a majestic view. The evening breeze, warm and smelling of heather brushed the sheer veil of her robe against her legs. The robe did nothing to protect her fit form from the breeze, and the feeling drew a sigh from her lips.
She was waiting. Patience had never been a virtue for Abigail. Despite how little she spoke, she was a brash girl, impatient, and needy. But she was the quiet daughter, or so she made the courts think. Lord Livermorny proudly displayed her at parties and then let her retire to her tower whenever she wished. She never mingled. She was not the one to make alliances like her sisters or brothers had been. Simply a piece to show the other lords and ladies that even the duchy had beautiful daughters still left for marriage. Not a single suitor would remain when their courtship faltered. Not a single man could stand to be around a woman who did not speak to them.