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’d been in a foul mood ever since she’d heard that my dress had been a gift from Vivi. Father had kept to his word and had taken care of it ever since it had arrived, and that had thrown me for a loop.
In the book, he never would have done such a thing.
Then again, in the book, I don’t think it was ever stated that Alicia stood up to her stepmother and sister the way I had. She’d merely taken their cruelty sitting down, and since Father himself had admitted he was unaware, it was quite sad to think that things could have been different for the original owner of this body if she’d just grown a backbone.
It was more proof that I was changing the story as intended. If I could get my father on my side even just a little…
“Introducing the Marquess and Marchioness Vermillion and their children; Lady Alicia, Lord Vincent, Lord Michael, and Lady Sophia!”
The announcement of our arrival boomed through the ballroom, and for a moment, all eyes were on us.
Specifically, me and Vincent.
Vincent shuddered. “I feel like a piece of meat.”
“Ignore them,” I muttered to him. “They can sense your weakness. If you carry on like this, the young ladies will eat you alive.”
He side-eyed me. “What about you? Half the men in this ballroom are undressing you with their eyes,” he whispered, leaning in. “Want me to challenge them to a duel?”
I fought back a laugh. “It’s quite all right. You just go on a search for a nice wife.”
He groaned. “Shouldn’t you get married first? You’re the eldest.”
“Ah, you’re the heir. You’ve got more responsibilities than me.” I grinned, scanning the ballroom. “I see my friends. Walk me over there, would you?”
“Mother is glaring at us.”
“I don’t really care.”
“What happened to you? You used to shrink away from her.”
“I hit my head so hard it knocked some sense into me,” I answered lightly. “Vivi!”
Vivi turned around and beamed at me. “Allie! I knew that dress would look stunning on you.”
I blushed. “Thank you. Oh, let me introduce you—this is my brother and the future marquess, Vincent. Vincent, this is Lady Vivian Trelawney.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Vivian.” Vincent kissed her hand.
She smiled. “And you. This is my fiancé, Lord Ivan Leavitt, the future head of the magic tower. Ivan, this is my dear friend, Lady Alicia Vermillion.”
Lord Ivan offered me a warm smile as he took my hand. “Lady Alicia, I’ve heard so many good things about you. It’s an honour to make your acquaintance.”
Look, I was well aware he was my friend’s fiancé, but I was only human, and my heart fluttered a little bit.
The man had silver hair, blue eyes, and a jaw that could cut glass.
It was a deadly combination, and I was a weak, weak woman in the face of a handsome man.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, also,” I replied, accepting the kiss he brushed against my fingers.
“Ivan, you aren’t flirting with another woman right in front of my sister, are you?”
Lord Ivan laughed brightly. “I would never, especially not with her best friend.”
Best friend?
That was new.
“Best friend?” The new man’s eyes twinkled. “I didn’t know she had friends, never mind one close enough to be her best friend.”
Vivi wrinkled up her face and smacked him on the arm with her fan. “Leon, don’t be rude.”
Ah.
The eldest Trelawney and heir to the dukedom, Lord Leonard Trelawney. He was the spitting image of his younger sister, but infinitely more masculine.
I was in handsome man heaven.
God bless fictional universes and the authors who created the men in them.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me, sister?” He turned to me with a smile playing on his lips, and Vincent tensed beside me.
Oho. Did he want to be the protective little brother?
How cute.
Vivi sighed. “I suppose I did promise you I’d introduce you. Allie, this is my eldest brother, Leon. Leon, this is Lady Alicia Vermillion.” She snapped her fan open. “There. My work is done, and you owe me a new pair of shoes.”
It was quite clear who was in charge amongst the Trelawney siblings.
Lord Leon wasted no time at all in taking my hand and kissing the back of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Alicia. May I say how beautiful you look tonight.”
I blushed. “Thank you, Lord Leon.”
He looked up, and his honey-brown eyes met mine. “I’m afraid I have some business to attend to for now, but I’d be honoured if you’d save me a dance later this evening.”
My heart skipped a beat.
Welp.
I was in trouble.
“As long as you find me before I leave.” I smiled, taking back my hand. “I won’t wait all night.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He chuckled, bowing his head to me. “Ivan, shall we go?”
“Yes.” Ivan kissed Vivi on the cheek before saying goodbye.