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)
“Goodness.” Lady Georgina’s eyes shone with pity as she looked at me. “I almost feel bad for inviting you today, but I’m honoured you chose my tea party as your first event.”
“No, thank you,” I said, touching my hand to hers on the table. “I’ve heard rumours of your gorgeous greenhouse, so I might have dragged myself here in my nightwear if it was the only way to see it.”
“Well, then I shall be sure to invite you back when it’s warmer and more flowers are blooming, so no need to rush over in your nightwear.”
Everyone except Sophia laughed, and the conversation quickly turned to the upcoming ball. Before I knew it, the tea party was over, and we were all being guided out of the greenhouse while saying our respective goodbyes.
“I’m sorry to say I can’t accompany you home, Sophia,” I said, flicking my hair over my shoulder. “I’m heading into town to collect my dress for the ball.”
She forced a smile. “Not to worry, dear sister.”
“Oh, what a coincidence,” Lady Vivian said, looping her arm through mine. “I, too, am heading to the boutique district to collect my cousin’s dress. It’s her debut, you see, and she’s staying with us for a few weeks. Would you mind if I joined you in your carriage, Lady Alicia?”
Sophia’s jaw ticked.
“Of course not, Lady Vivian. I do have somewhere to visit after, though.”
“Not to worry, our maids can follow behind in my carriage.” She grinned, and her deep blue eyes twinkled. “What fun.”
Chapter Five
Blackmail or Bluffing?
“Goodness,” Lady Vivian said, setting her gloves on the seat beside her. “You could cut the tension between you and Lady Sophia with a knife.”
I smiled. “I’m not sure my presence today pleased her.”
“I should think not. She’s been attending events in your name for the past six months. When Lady Georgina told me you were attending today, I was quite sure she was wrong.” She patted her cheeks. “According to your sister, you’ve been unwell for quite a while, so I was shocked to hear you say you’d fallen down the stairs.”
“Gosh, six months? Really?” My eyes widened. “I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t noticed. It wasn’t until earlier this week when I realised many of my invitations were from lower-ranking noble houses and none were from the main houses.”
“How did you find out about today?”
“I asked the maid who’d brought me the invitations who’d sorted them, and she couldn’t lie to me. Apparently, my stepmother has overseen them for a few months. When she brought them to me, the invitations were already open.”
Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “That explains Lady Sophia’s missing RSVP.”
“Oh, I have no idea what you’re suggesting.” I rested my hands in my lap and smiled innocently. “As Lady Blair said, things do get lost. The messengers and errand boys only have so many hands, after all.”
“Of course.” She grinned. “Well, Lady Sophia was sufficiently embarrassed today, so I doubt she or Marchioness Vermillion will be replying to any of your invitations anytime soon.”
“I should certainly hope not. It would be terribly awkward if they did, since I only accepted one other and sent rejections for the rest.”
“Where else did you accept?”
“Marchioness Velian,” I answered. “It’s her first tea party, and with it being ten days away, I thought it would give me enough time to rest after the spring ball this weekend.”
Lady Vivian nodded. “Are you attending all the events?”
“No, only the ball on Sunday. I’m still recovering from my head injury, and I can excuse myself from the ball if necessary. I wouldn’t go at all, but I cannot refuse an Imperial invitation.”
“Quite right. Well, I will be at the ball escorted by Lord Ivan, so I will introduce you both then. My brothers will also be in attendance.”
In other words, she would introduce me to her brothers who, as far as I knew, were all single… and would all be deemed suitable marriage prospects by my father.
Hmm. Not the worst thing in the world.
“I would be honoured.”
“I must confess, Lady Alicia, I don’t have to pick up my cousin’s dress. I merely wished to speak more with you.” She tilted her head to the side. “I’ve heard many things about you, but none of them seem to match up to what I’ve seen of you in person.”
“I’ve heard something similar from my father,” I said gently. “But there is a theory that one’s personality can alter after a life-changing event, so if I’ve changed, then perhaps my accident is the reason. I suffered quite the severe head injury, after all.”
“That’s very true. I’ve seen mages who have undergone almost a personality transplant after a magical mishap. Why, there was one around eight years ago who ended up speaking another language entirely. My father had to bring in a translator to identify it as none of us had ever heard it before! As far as I know, she transferred to the region the language was from and has lived there ever since.” She paused. “Either way, I quite like you, and I especially like how you appear to have kept your sister in check. I was under the impression that your stepmother and siblings walked all over you.”