I laughed. “That sounds like her, all right.”
“But he became better because of it.” She shrugged.
I frowned. “It doesn’t sound like Isabel would be the type of person to abandon her friends. Even if she did secure Ambrose’s hand.”
Violetta met my eyes, her features softening. “Yes, I think you’re right. I just needed reminding, I suppose.”
I nodded, then tilted my head. “Don’t get the wrong idea, though. I’m going to be the one to win Ambrose’s hand.”
Violetta grinned. “And I think you would make a fine pair.”
We stepped out of the ballroom, Beezle attempting to trip me in my progress, when Helena appeared before us, making her way up the hallway.
“And how was your visit to the psychic, Helena? Are we all doomed to miserable deaths? Will I at least live to see the New World before I meet my demise?” I asked.
Helena’s lips twisted into a mischievous smile. “Shockingly, you didn’t come up once, my dear count.” She tilted her head. “Is that Lady Abbott with you?”
“Oh,” Violetta sent me a wide-eyed look. “You can tell I’m here?”
“She’s quite observant,” I said. “Preternaturally so.”
Helena sniffed. “It’s your perfume, dear. You’re the only one with notes of lilac.”
“It’s my mother’s favorite,” Violetta replied shyly, looking down at her feet.
“Dinner is about to be served,” Helena informed us. “And I believe the Crane girl was looking for you, Miss Abbott.”
“Oh.” Violetta looked up sharply.
I nodded down the hall. “Go on. We’ll catch up.”
Violetta bobbed her head in thanks and hurried up the corridor, skirts swishing.
“A sweet girl,” Helena observed. “She won’t remain in the competition much longer.”
I crossed my arms. “Yes, well, it’s hard being a human, something that you failed to let on to. How do you do it? Everything is socomplicated.”
“Yes, well, if you recall, Lucian, I wanted to leave humanity behind. It was with good reason.”
I blinked. “Is that so? And just how did you pass the last decade?”
“Flattering my betters. I learned a lot from my time with you.”
I snorted.
Helena sighed as we continued up the hall. “I am a patient woman. Even if it takes years, I get what I want. My wealth gave me opportunities, and with each ball I attended, each dinner I was invited to, I climbed the ranks of society. That was my life since departing from you. I had time for little else.”
“Such a pity. I would have thought you would take up an instrument.”
She scowled. “Music was your thing. And after those torturous months when you were learning the harp? To this day, I have nightmares.”
“Really? Of all the nightmare fodder I provided, my playing an angelic instrument like the harp is what sticks with you?”
“It was truly terrifying.”
We parted in the dining room. I was seated on the far side of the table this time, among strangers. I joined in conversation where I could as people chattered around me with enthusiasm, but I didn’t fool myself into believing I’d made progress ingratiating myself to them. I would have to do something, and soon, to rise in the ranks.
Cecelia, on the other hand, was finding her stride. She’d outshone everyone in archery, making three bullseyes in a row. She was proving to be more competition than I’d expected.
