“Mother will be broken-hearted if you leave again, Oscar,” Ruby said.
Of all the ridiculous things. I knew this game, and I still hated it as much as I had when I was twelve.
“You cannot convince me to be ashamed by ignoring me. It’s very childish. No one is fakingEdward’s, “I glared at Oscar for emphasis, “death. I’ve already told you all that I am going back with him after the wedding, so I don’t know why you think ignoring me will change my mind.” I snapped.
“Maybe a carriage accident,” Oliver murmured.
I stood up, staring at each of my siblings like they were selkies in disguise.
“I am literally feared in every corner of the world. Captain Hellcat Smith, maybe you’ve heard?” I spat.
Oscar turned, winking at me. “A captain who has to declare themselves captain is no captain at all.”
Oh my saints, seas, and gods combined. He was doing his Bash voice, and what’s more, I knew he was quoting him because I’d heard that same dry line delivered in disapproval.
“A riding accident then? The horse could have a fit and throw him. Head injury ensues.” Oliver said.
Absolutely not. Rage splaying like flames that burned hot in my vision, I stormed over and pushed their stupid chess game to the floor, and quite enjoyed the clatter of the pieces as they scattered. Satisfied, I placed my hands on my hips and smiled sweetly at them.
“No one is murdering my fiancé- real or fake. What’s more, you will all be on your best behaviour today. No glares from Oliver, no sniffs from Ruby, and certainly no shit-eating grins from Oscar.” I declared.
“When you bring home a respectable fiancé, perhaps we can discuss different terms,” Oliver said.
Ever the politician.
Oh well, I tried to be patient. I tried to wait them out, but drastic times meant drastic measures. I lurched forward, readyto wrap my hands around my eldest brother’s throat when the door burst open.
“He’s here! Mr. Smith is here!” Rebecca screeched, running into the room.
“Mother says to come downstairs this moment!” her twin, Ramona, shouted.
They were the spitting image of each other. Light blond hair, airy and loose, over their shoulders. The same rosy cheeks and bright green eyes. The only way to tell them a part was a freckle on Ramona’s right cheek. Otherwise, they were indistinguishable.
I stilled from my attack on my brother and swallowed down what felt like a bucket of eels that swam in my stomach. The urge to throw up burrowed into my throat, and it occurred to me that never once in my life had I ever been as nervous as I was at this moment.
“What was that about three ships you were saying, Rosie?” Oscar grinned, standing and patting me on the shoulder.
He walked past me, leaving me to war with the mayhem evolving in my stomach.
“You wouldn’t have to be nervous if we went with my plan,” Oliver said, rising and following Oscar.
“Rose looks like she’s going to be sick,” one of the twins murmured.
“That’s called the consequences of our actions,” Ruby said, ushering them out.
The room was empty except for me and the fire, which was increasingly tempting to throw myself into. Consequences indeed. Never once in my brilliant plan to save Bash from the gallows did I think I would have to have brunch with my family and him. Never once did it occur to me that I would have to endure my family's chaotic musings and wonder if Bash would run away to the Wraith and never look back.
I was already a lot to handle, but the rest of the Baileys? That was another story entirely.
I swallowed hard.
“Oh, for goodness' sake, Rosamund. You have done several mortifying and incomprehensible things, worse than having brunch with your family and your fiancé. You are so dramatic.” Ruby said as she returned in a flurry, pushing me along as she had with the twins.
“A kraken would be preferable to this,” I murmured.
A sound of disapproval erupted from Ruby, but at least she didn’t yell at me once more. I didn’t know if my nerves could take it. Each stare was an entire island, but Ruby refused to let up on my back.
“You are going to push me down the stairs, Ruby!” I shouted, heart hammering in my chest.
