“I would have thought you a stranger if it wasn’t for the fact that you seemed so familiar.” Miriam clutched a small bag, jaw clenched as she took in the scene of the shop. Golden curls spilled from her neat bun, tickling the nape of her alabaster skin, likened to that of a porcelain doll. Her cerulean gaze trained on the glass in front of me. “Didn’t take you to partake in forbidden activities. My—how the tables have turned.”
I smiled, gesturing to the empty seat in front of me. “Please.”
She sat, prim and proper as a lady does—beckoning a server who never asked for her order but deposited the teapot without another word and went about his business.
“We thought you were dead after not hearing from you in so long after that brute of a man whisked you away from us.”
I sipped idly. “He is not much of a brute as he is out of practice. I’d written sooner, but there is not much of a mail system in which he lives.”
“And now, what’s changed?” Miriam’s lips thinned. “As I have said we do not hear from you—Mama was beside herself.”
I chuckled, imagining Mama’s cunning plan fall apart as Silas had uttered those words in the place of worship.
Miriam brought her cup to her lips with a pout. “I do not know what you had to do—are you back for good? Are you marrying William?”
I nearly gagged. “William—what makes you think that I am back to marry him?”
She lowered her head, a grim look casting upon her frightening in the twenty years we had shared the same spaces was one that’s beyond terrifying.
“Please, you need to help me. I can’t—I can’t—I’m not like you.” Miriam reached across the table, grasping my hand with such urgency. A familiar gaudy ring adorned her finger. “Mama arranged it shortly after you left. We are to be married in a few weeks, and I-I...”
Her hand shook, releasing my arms and lifting the scalding liquid to her lips, sloshing out of the cup and onto the white tablecloth.
The door jingled opened, the sound of familiar footsteps clamoring our way, then stopping at the head of the table. The absinthe was working its magic, and the overwhelming thoughts of the last six months disappeared in a single moment.I was back to the wall erected between the horror of society and Miriam, the little angel. Envious little angel incapable of stains upon her delicate feature.
Mama stern eyes stooped to the green of my glass before setting upon my face. William’s devilish smirk was that of a sword speared through me. William placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing tightly.
Miriam’s eyes pleaded, sorry that they were here. That she was going to drag me back to a life I never wanted. But it was her deal, after all, my life for hers.
It was not fair I was living carefree, when she had to take my place.
Why did she have to marry the brute she once had called handsome and admirable?
I bit my lip. “I’d say congrats are in order, but I am guessing it isn’t what you had thought it would be.” I gripped William’s hand, sliding it off, not daring to glance up in his direction.
“I see that you are well, Valeria. It appears your color has returned. I am sure that everyone is happy that you are home,” Mama huffed, having felt indignant for the last six months.
It was as if I had never left—that Silas had never existed.
I swirled the glass, the contents a reflection of my own head. There was not much I could do to help her, not without outright killing the man. The fact I did want this man dead shivered through my warmed body. Not that Silas would oppose murder. But I refuse to commit to bloodshed. Miriam glanced expectantly at Mama and at me, lips pursed as frustration knittedher brow. William enjoyed the show he was promised to, and judging by his presence, he wanted to ensure we were not getting out unscathed.
I lifted my narrow gaze upon Mama. “What is it that you want, Mama?”
“You, to come back. What else is there, child?” she mused, shooing away the waiter and anyone else in the vicinity.
“I am not coming back, Mama.”
“Oh, I think you are. After all, you did run out on William. You were the talk of the town for quite some time. Not only did you embarrass yourself but him and the rest of this family as well. Think of your sister, Valeria.” She cocked her head, graying strands spilling over her shoulder in simple elegance.
Mama was putting forth her best class act. Our conversation in the church spooked her—this, I was sure of. Since then, she was creating a farce in the public to gain sympathy, a game she was often used to and on that may have worked months ago.
I growled, “You know damn well that is not what happened. If anyone ran, it was this fool.” I nodded toward William, his smirk transforming into a harsh scowl.
“Mrs. McCallister, I was promised to wed one of your daughters in exchange for my assistance. I hope you do not intend to break that agreement.” With a click of his tongue and a tug of his lips, he added, “A woman such as Valeria is one that has had challenges especially with living with a beast for so long. I doubt she would have a proper prospect if anyone were tofind out the circumstances of her disappearance and possible defilement of another man.”
“I am sure some arrangements can be made. After all, we had agreed upon our terms, and I see no reason to change since Valeria has returned.” Mama fanned herself, watching the heads of ladies giving her nods of approval.
As if the matriarch of the illustrious McCallister family had any worth left and was not the fraud she truly was.
