Unearned Glory

“Well, she is a Montgomery. It's no surprise she stands out from the crowd.”

Valerie soaked in the praise, their words like balm for the many years of struggle and ambition that had brought her here.

“Oh, you're all too kind,” she said with practiced modesty, her smile gracious. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“You really are lucky,” a languid voice drawled. Gareth st