Even worse, this was the Minister's brother. The Applegates were too mad to be involved in politicking, but this was still horribly embarrassing. Hanna flushed and kept staring, trying to find her tongue. The world span. She pressed her hands to her bodice to try to stop them from shaking, to no success — instead they were trembling against the fabric.

"I'm s-s-sorry," she stuttered out. "So, so, s-s-sorry." There were not enough apologies in the world! People were going to talk about her, and they were already talking about her, because she was now twenty-seven with no prospects! She was still standing in the champagne puddle, too, which was going to make it difficult for the now-approaching waiter — but she was too focused on trying to apologize.