“Then I’ve finally won. You’ve accepted my gift at last.”
“I’m only going to throw it away the first chance I get,” she says, yet the way she cradles it in her arms makes me thinkotherwise. Or perhaps that’s only what I hope. “In fact, I’ll dispose of it right now.”
She flounces off in the direction of the back room, and I join Zane just outside the nook. My friend hands me a steaming mug, scents of chocolate and peppermint wafting from it. I accept the cup and take a sip. It’s warm, the flavor a delectable blend of sweet and bitter mingling with the unmistakable—and not unpleasant—burn of liquor.
“Mr. Cordell informed me that book club hour is synonymous with drinking hour,” Zane says, taking a hearty sip of their own mug. “I approve.”
They must be right, for everyone who gathers in the nook holds an identical mug, and the mood is growing livelier by the second.
Edwina returns from the back room, her coat draped over her arm. I squint at it, smirking when I catch a sliver of green poking out from one of the pockets. She didn’t throw my book away after all. Little liar.
“You aren’t leaving, are you?” Queen Gemma strides up to Edwina, two mugs in hand.
“Of course not,” Edwina says. “I just wanted to gather my belongings.”
“Good. Are you still open to doing a reading for us?”
“Absolutely.”
“You truly are a treasure, Miss Danforth. This just might be the best day of my life. Just don’t tell my husband. Or my children.” Gemma winks and hands Edwina one of the mugs.
Just like she did with Cloud Dive, she downs a hearty sip without hesitation. Part of me wants to chastise her for accepting a drink before even knowing what it is, but at least the liquor is of the human variety this time. She won’t suffer any effects that are out of the ordinary.
“Oh!” Edwina licks her lips, slowly running her tongue over the chocolate that stains them. Now I’m jealous of this damn drink too. “I like that indeed.”
Gemma links her arm through Edwina’s and leads her into the nook. Monty, Daphne, and Mr. Cordell settle onto the chairs at the back of the meeting area while Zane and I remain standing just behind them. I lean my shoulder against the nearby bookcase, watching Edwina’s eyes light up as Gemma formally introduces her to the ladies that comprise the book club. Not that they didn’t already meet her during the signing. After introductions, the book club members settle into their chairs, facing Edwina.
She wrings her hands, the first sign of nervousness she’s shown all evening. “What would you like me to read for you?”
“What’s your favorite scene?” asks one of the women.
“That’s a hard choice.” Edwina furrows her brow and taps a finger to her chin. “I suppose if I had to choose, it would be the scene inThe Governess and the Earl, when Sarah realizes she deserves to be loved by a man of high standing.”
“That’s one of my favorites too,” Queen Gemma says. She hands Edwina a copy of the book in question from her personal signed stack. “I’d be honored if you would read it for us.”
Edwina’s cheeks flush, but she accepts the book and seeks the chapter. She nibbles her thumbnail, another sign of her nerves, but when she speaks, she seems to forget her anxiousness. The bookshop is silent as she reads the chapter, her voice soft yet carrying the depth of emotion the character portrays. Her tone falls when the character speaks of her longing and fears, then rises when she voices her worth. Chills run down my spine. I’ve been surrounded by performers for most of my life. My mother, Lydia, was an actress. Though not related to me by blood, she was Cassie’s mother and was the woman who raised me. We practically lived in the theater for most of mylife. Then there were my years at university. Edwina may not have the honed skill of someone who spent her life studying the performing arts, but she has a raw talent in the way she reads from her character’s point of view. The way she sinks into the role and captures emotion with the slightest inflection.
I’m mesmerized.
So much so that my heart plummets when she speaks the final word of the chapter and closes the book. Reality sharpens around me, pulling me from the pages she’d drawn me into.
For fuck’s sake, she’s…
She’s incredible.
Applause erupts all around, and I set my mug on the nearby shelf to join them. Edwina’s gaze flicks to me, her eyes widening as if she’d forgotten I was still here. I give her a smile devoid of taunting, and the one she returns—so wide and genuine—nearly takes my breath away. Then her attention falls back upon the book club members.
“I’m sure of it now,” Zane says, keeping their voice low.
“Sure of what?”
“You like her.”
The blood leaves my face. “I don’t…”
Zane chuckles. “You can’t finish that sentence, can you? Because it’s a lie. Youdolike her.”
I tug at my cravat, loosening it and unbuttoning the top of my collar. Why is it suddenly so hot in here? I lower my voice to a whisper. “I…may be attracted to her.”
