CHAPTER 21 THE ART OF SEDUCTION

Mary stood alone in her temporary chambers, her eyes taking in the lavish surroundings. The room was a symphony of silk and satin, the rich reds and golds of the decor sparkling in the afternoon sun. A four-poster bed, canopied with exquisite embroidery, dominated the room, its luxurious bedding calling out for Mary to sink into its embrace. But Mary's mind was far from sleep. She stepped towards the window, gazing out over the sprawling estate that could, one day, be hers. A fierce determination flickered in her eyes. Her thoughts turned to her own room back at the Fitzwilliam estate, her plain curtains and simple furnishings suddenly seeming dull and uninviting. Here, surrounded by opulence, she felt a dangerous spark of ambition. "This could be my life," she whispered to herself. "A life of power, wealth, and influence. I can have it all, if only I play my cards right." She took a deep breath, her gaze still fixed on the landscape beyond her window. As the midday sun filtered t