Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
She was terrified.
“Let me introduce you to everyone, Lady Elisa.” Lady Georgina repeated the same thing as she just had to me. “Everyone, this is Lady Elisa, the recently adopted daughter of Count Sayles.”
That’s why she was so scared.
In this society, blood was everything, and she would be looked down on by some for not being their biological child.
I didn’t care, of course. Sadly, that wouldn’t be the case for everyone.
“Her mother was Count Sayles’ younger sister, but she sadly passed recently, so the Count and Countess adopted her into their household just before she turned eighteen.” Lady Georgina squeezed Lady Elisa’s hand. “She recently moved to the capital from the southern coast, and the upcoming spring banquet and ball will be her debut into high society. I thought I should invite her today so that we might all help her.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Lady Sasha said, nodding her head. “I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, Lady Elisa, and I’m sure I speak for us all when I say that.”
We all murmured our assent.
“Thank you.” She bowed her head. “My aunt and uncle have been extremely kind to me, and I’m very grateful for them.”
Lady Georgina smiled. “Your seat is just there at the end of the table, Lady Elisa.”
She sat down as Lady Georgina motioned for the tea to be brought in.
“Now, I think that’s everyone!” She clapped her hands. “This is only my third time hosting a tea party, so I do hope you’ll all excuse any missteps. Today’s tea is a blend from Stein—the rose is a rare kind that only blooms in the Stein mountains during autumn, and it was a gift from the Grand Duke to my father after he helped handle a monster outbreak there a few weeks ago. It wasn’t to Father’s taste, but I enjoyed it, so he happily handed it over to me. I do hope you’ll find it to your liking.”
Stein.
Stein.
Stein.
I couldn’t escape the damn place.
“Lady Sophia Vermillion has arrived!” The butler’s voice boomed through the greenhouse.
Lady Georgina stilled, and all of us turned our eyes in the direction of the doorway. Sophia scuttled in, clutching tightly at her skirts.
“I’m so sorry I’m late. I think Mother took the main carriage so I—” Sophia froze when she saw me. “Alicia?”
“Oh, goodness, Sophia!” I pressed my hand to my chest, widening my eyes in mock surprise. “I’m so sorry, but I have the main carriage with me. I had no idea you were coming, or we could have travelled here together.”
Anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly schooled her expression back to one of nonchalance. “Oh, no, it’s my fault. I should have checked with you.”
“Perhaps so. The invitation I saw was only addressed to me, after all.” I turned back around and caught Lady Vivian’s eye.
Her lips quirked into the tiniest of smiles.
Lady Georgina cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m afraid I wasn’t expecting you, Sophia. The only RSVP I had from House Vermillion was from Lady Alicia.”
Sophia clenched her jaw.
Barney the errand boy was getting a bonus later.
“She’s here now,” I said soothingly. “Is there no way we can squeeze her in at the table, Lady Georgina? Perhaps, if Lady Sasha doesn’t mind, we can both move up a bit so Sophia can fit on her other side.”
My placement of that was deliberate. We were sitting in order of our societal rank, and as House Vermillion was more powerful than House Ambrose, it was a major slight for me to have my sister sit after Lady Sasha.
Lady Sasha shook her head. “I don’t mind at all. Like you said, Lady Alicia, she’s come all the way here.”
“Very well. Higgins, would you fetch us another chair for Lady Sophia, please?” Lady Georgina asked, then turned to one of the maids who was waiting on us. “Beth, set another space.”
Lady Sasha and I scooted up while Sophia’s place was set, and she took her seat. I could practically feel the anger vibrating off her. I felt sorry for Lady Sasha and Lady Elisa who had to sit next to her while she was in such a state.
I knew just how venomous her anger could be. No doubt she would stew in it through the entire tea party and let it out on me later.
Or attempt to, rather.
The soul who occupied this body before me may have taken her shit, but I wasn’t about to.
I’d dealt with far bigger fish than her in my previous life.
“As I was telling the ladies just before you arrived, Lady Sophia, this tea is a special blend made with a rose that only grows in the Stein Mountains,” Lady Georgina said. “I do hope it’s to your taste.” She smiled at her, but there was a tightness to it.
Hee hee hee.
She was irritated by the uninvited guest and would likely never invite her to a gathering after this. Neither would anyone else here.