In walked Rosalie Trent with her long, blonde, perfectly-styled hair and her never-ending smile. Her father and mother came after her with wide grins on their faces, as if this was how things were normally done. Mrs. Trent was an expert in magicalartifacts and ran an entire business surrounding them. She’d also been a good friend of my mother.
“Hello, James,” Mrs. Trent said to my uncle before turning to me. “Prince Fitzwilliam, we are so flattered to be here.”
Rosalie walked up to me and threw her arms around my neck. “Isn’t this so exciting? What should we do on our first date?”
I grabbed her shoulders and eased her back. Not only had my uncle invited her, but I was also already meeting the parents. My life was being put into hyperdrive. “I’m sorry,” I said, ready to turn this all down. “I was actually going to the study to—”
“Yes!” Rosalie clapped her hands. “I’d love to see the study. I’ve learned a lot about interior design in the past couple of weeks. I even read about your friend Caroline Bingley inFaelight Couturemagazine. She’s an up-and-coming talent for certain. I think I’d do well in the field, too. I’d completely makeover this entire dreary cabin.”
I thought I saw the flames in the fireplace flare in indignation.
She walked into the study looking unimpressed. “There are far too many books in here. If we got rid of a few rows, I’d add some decor to make this place shine on BookTok. And of course we’d need to arrange the books by color.”
“Color?” I asked. “But then how would you find the book you wanted?”
She waved a dismissive hand. “No, that doesn’t matter. It’s all about aesthetics.”
The books rattled. One fell on the floor.Over Her Dead Bodyby Kate White. The spirits that lived in the walls clearly didn’t approve of the idea.
I ran my fingers through my hair, wondering how my day had taken such a sudden turn, but also trying to figure out what to say to her. “Do you have a favorite book?”
“Favorite book?” She echoed as if that wasn’t something anyone had ever asked her.
“Yes, what do you enjoy reading?” I tried not to think about how much Lizzy would love this room as is.
“Oh, um, well, I like readingFaelight Couture. As I told you.”
I walked over and looked through the bookcase. Caroline had been to the cabin a few times, so there had to be a fashion magazine in here somewhere. I pulled out an issue ofFaelight Coutureand handed it to her.
“You found a copy,” Rosalie gushed, but then disappointment crossed her face. “It’s an old issue.”
The books again rattled, and I was worried about what they might throw at us next. “We won’t be reorganizing the books here anytime soon,” I stated.
The books calmed. The spirits understood I was on their side.
“Of course not yet.” She gave a little laugh. “But after we’re married and we come here on our honeymoon, it will give me something to do. And Ihear you, magic bookshelf. Trust me, you’ll like it.”
I didn’t correct her; it was spirits and not a magic spell on the library. But at the rattling of the books, I held up a calming hand, and they stilled. “Rosalie, we aren’t engaged.”
“Not yet.” She gave what she clearly thought was a winning smile.
I sighed, the exasperation of the last few minutes coming to a head. I turned away and sat at my desk. After opening my laptop, I pulled up the files and began scrolling through them. I wanted to make sure I had all the right names on the list I’d created. That I’d left nothing out.
Luckily, Rosalie seemed to get the hint, and she sat down, flipping open her outdated magazine. After a few moments, she sighed. “Is this all we’re going to do?”
I wished to say yes, but my manners had me grudgingly asking, “Is there something else you want to do? Would you like to go skiing?”
“Skiing? Oh, no.” She shuddered.
We were going to get along great.
Lizzy would have sat and read without any problem. Or more likely, she’d have sat next to me and gone over my notes. Lizzy loved a mystery and wasn’t afraid to puzzle through the facts, coming up with insights I’d overlooked. I knew that because when I’d first met her, we’d ended up stuck together trying to solve a murder.
I held in a sigh. Getting over Lizzy was hopeless. No woman, fae, or otherwise female creature could compare. Maybe I should leave and return to Austen Heights early. I longed to see her.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I lifted it out, opened up the text message, and stared at it in surprise.
Your Highness, this is Clara Ashcombe. I know how your parents really died. Can you meet me in two days at the Hearthside Inn at 8:00 a.m.?
