Lyra smoothed her dress as the final notes of the first dance faded. The crowd's applause for the newly engaged couple was deafening, but she remained focused on her mission: finding Alice Gallagher in the east garden.
"Well, if it isn't the infamous Lyra Moreau," a snide voice called from behind her.
She turned to find Atticus Reed, Jasper's ever-present sidekick, leering at her.
"Enjoying the celebration of your sister's engagement to your ex?" Atticus asked, his eyes roaming over her figure with insulting deliberation.
Lyra met his gaze coolly. "I wasn't aware you needed an audience for your little performances, Atticus."
His smug smile faltered. "You know, everyone's talking about how you managed to snag Percival Covington. What exactly did you do to trap him? Must have been quite the trick."
"Is that the best you can do?" Lyra replied, her voice bored. "I have more important matters to attend to."
