My heart softens the slightest bit. Angela is Monty’s younger sister and has always felt like a sister to me as well. And he’s right. I did promise her I’d host a small—verysmall—gathering at Blackwood Estate this year. But still. “This isn’t the time or the place, Monty. You need to prepare for your wedding.”
He waves a flippant hand. “There’s nothing to prepare. Well, hardly anything. The date is set, our appointment at the church still stands. And I was telling the truth about what my father said. He was quite angry when my future bride failed to arrive on the promised date two days ago. He said,Monty, you charming and most handsome son of mine, I will finally allow you to choose your wife. Make sure she’s well endowed.”
“Your father didn’t say that.”
“No, maybe he said something about a dowry. Well en-dowry-ed. That’s probably it.”
Stones and soil, my head might explode if I have to hear more of his nonsense.
“I’m going to your house whether you meet me there or not,” Monty says. “I’ve already written ahead, and your butler was more than amenable. You know Mr. Hartshire loves me.”
I remove my spectacles and pinch the bridge of my nose. “You wrote to my butler already?”
“Indeed I did. As soon as the first guest arrived for my party, I immediately regretted having said I’d host one at all.”
“Why the hell did he agree to receive you while I’m away?”
“Why wouldn’t he? I always stay at your house when you’re off on business. Did you not know?”
Of course I didn’t know. If I had I would have doused my manor in Monty repellent, which would include one part responsibility and one part tact. And perhaps fired all my female staff to ensure there was no one he’d be tempted to harass.
Monty sits upright on the divan but his posture remains slumped. Lazy. He stares out the wall of windows with a crooked smile on his lips. “She is nice on the eyes, I’ll give her that.”
I follow his line of sight and find Briony out on the lawn, not too far from the solarium. She stands away from the crowd next to Minka, sipping from a porcelain teacup. Damn. I left her alone again. I was so preoccupied with following Monty that I didn’t give enough thought to how awkward she must feel amongst all these strangers. Though one wouldn’t know she feels uncomfortable just by looking at her. She’s always had a regal air about her. The way she stands. The way she speaks. The haughty way she lifts her chin. It’s been apparent since the first dream I had about her. And now, with the afternoon sun glinting off the loose tendrils of golden hair that spill beneath her hat, she looks every inch the princess she was born to be.
My resolve hardens as I’m reminded why we’re here. What’s at stake.
She’s Princess Rosaline Briar, and I’m Vintarys Lemuria. We have a bargain to fulfill and a curse to break.
I followed Monty to try to convince him to discard his idiotic game, but I realize now the game is exactly what Briony and I need. The anger we feel over it will ensure we remain fixedly opposed to the wedding. That’s the only way we fulfill the terms required to break the curse. The task we undertakemustbe something neither of us wants to do.
It dawns on me how everything might have unraveled. Had Monty pulled his head out of his ass and acted like a proper gentleman, had he taken one look at Briony and realized how lucky he’d be to have her, he might have ruined everything. Briony might have liked him. She might havewantedto marry him, voiding the terms required to break the curse. Likewise, I could have been happy for them, voiding my side of the effort required as well.
As things stand now, Briony likely rues the thought of marrying Monty, even more so than before she met him. And on my side…
Stones, the very thought of them marrying, of Briony being stuck with my asshole friend for the rest of her life, sends spears of rage through my chest.
I clench my teeth.
This is how it should be.
It’s the only way our bargain will work.
The only way to awaken our families from slumber.
One question remains, one of shadows and thorns that dampens all thoughts of victory: will it be worth the cost?
Monty rises from the divan with a stretch. “If Princess Rosaline wants to play with me, she’ll meet me at your place tomorrow afternoon. I’ll head to Blackwood Estate after Angela gets home.” With a dismissive wave, he tucks his hands back in his pockets and exits the solarium to the main part of the manor.
I glance back out at the lawn. My eyes lock on Briony’s, then slide to the side of her face, where Monty laid that impertinent kiss. I lift my gaze back to her eyes and give her a nod, wordlessly conveying that I’m here. I’ll help her. We’ll do what needs to be done.
And I’m going to hate every second of it.
25
BRIONY
The next morning, I enter a department store for the first time in my life. I pull up short in the foyer, stunned by the marble floors, the enormous reception desk, and the curving staircases that lead four stories up. After seeing Nocturnus Palace, I didn’t think a clothing store could impress me, but I was wrong. Bartleby’s is a sight to behold, even amongst the other grand buildings in downtown Jasper. Unlike a modiste, which I’ve at least read about and seen in passing, Bartleby’s is several times larger and hosts ready-to-wear fashion. There are no wait times like those associated with custom clothing, which means I’ll be in possession of new ensembles in a matter of minutes.
