“The most important thing is discovering how to heal your father.” Plus, I’d rather attend a party with Lizzy any day than go to some stuffy dinner with the family of a woman I had no interest in.
“And who killed your parents?” Lizzy added. She was quiet for a moment. “So why did Rosalie claim to be your girlfriend?”
“My uncle and aunt wish for me to marry her. He proposed it while I was away on my skiing trip, and then she showed up. I made it clear last night that we aren’t a thing.” Honestly, I was lucky that they hadn’t cancelled the dinner altogether. My aunt and the Trents must not have given up yet.
Lizzy stared out the window at the couples walking up and down the street holding hands. “She’s a pure-blood, highborn fae. Her mother is on the council. She’d be a good match for you.”
“A while ago, I might have believed that I should go along with someone who checks all the boxes. But now…” My grip tightenedon the steering wheel and I shook my head. “I will decide who I marry, and nobody else.”
She didn’t respond right away, but then asked softly. “And tonight?”
I exhaled slowly. “Tonight isn’t about me. But in order to get the information we’re looking for out of the Trents, I may need to pretend I’m at least open to the possibility of dating their daughter.”
“I shouldn’t have come. It will make them mad if they think you’ve brought another girl to dinner, even though it isn’t like that between us.”
“Which is why I asked if Georgiana could say she invited you.”
“Oh smart. That shouldn’t be too hard to believe since Georgiana and I are friends.”
“Yeah, she enjoyed getting to know you when we were snowed in at Pemberley.” And she wasn’t the only one who’d enjoyed it.
“I enjoyed getting to know her, too.” Lizzy gave me a soft smile.
“Anyway, she agreed on one condition.” I cast her a sideways glance.
“Oh? What is that?”
“We comply with whatever she and my cousin Anne have planned for us after the dinner.”
“I see.” She squared her shoulders. “It’ll be fine. If that’s the bargain, I can go along with it.”
We pulled into the driveway and parked. After getting out of the car, we walked through the massive double doors into the grand foyer at Rosings. A cascade of floating roses immediately greeted us, drifting lazily from the ceiling, their petals glowing faintly in soft pink and crimson hues. A heart-shaped chandelier hovered above the center of the marble floor, each crystal catching the light like captured starlight. Along the sweeping staircase, garlands of velvet ribbon and enchanted roses coiledelegantly around the banisters, letting off a gentle puff of rose-scented mist.
I surmised by the coats hanging on the rack that most everyone had already arrived.
Lady Catherine walked up in an elegant red dress with hearts embroidered around the hem, her eyes flashing. Her hair was twisted into an updo. “My nephew, what… I mean,who is this?”
“Aunt, you’ve met Lizzy Bennet before.”
“Yes, I have,” she said in her no-nonsense voice. “Why is she at my dinner?”
“I invited her, Aunt,” Georgiana hurried into the foyer, her small dachshund Waffles trailing happily at her feet. Georgiana and her boyfriend Henry were staying at Rosings for the festival, and she must not have wanted to leave the clingy little dog alone at Pemberley. My sister took Lizzy by the arm and smiled at her.
Lady Catherine huffed, put out. “I will tell the servants to set another place at dinner.” She gave Lizzy one more disapproving glare before storming off.
I gave Georgiana and Lizzy an awkward grin. “Off to a good start.”
“You know Aunt Catherine, she’ll get over… well, actually no, she won’t. She enjoys holding grudges. I think it’s what she does for fun.” Georgiana cast an apologetic glance at Lizzy.
“Don’t worry, I can withstand her barbs,” Lizzy said.
“Come, I’ll make sure you sit next to me. And after…” Georgiana wriggled her eyebrows at me. “You’ll have to see what will be awaiting you outside.”
Instead of feeling anxious or uncomfortable, I was curious about what my sister and cousin had waiting for us. Perhaps tonight would end up being the perfect opportunity to tell Lizzy how I felt. Despite the anticipated awkwardness of the evening, a small bit of hope surged through me.
We stepped into Aunt Catherine’s sitting room. Large ornate pictures were edged in gold frames. The furnishings were plentiful and stylish, and I suspected that Charles’s sister Caroline had recently redecorated my aunt’s place because it had a fresh, elegant aesthetic that only my friend’s sister could contribute.
The Trents stood around speaking with Lady Catherine, whose daughter Anne sat on a love seat with her boyfriend Ernesto, a member of Wickham’s band. Georgiana pulled Lizzy safely over next to Henry. Waffles padded along behind, tiny tail wagging.
