“Nevermind. I’m running behind.”
“Ah, yes. Lord Corvin is anxious for your arrival no doubt. I won’t keep you two apart.”
She reached to her throat at his words. The way he’d said it… The twitch of his half-hidden mouth… She glowered. “That’s not what this is.”
“Whatwhatis?” he replied and chuckled. Gripping the door knob, he gave her his back. “Do come to me with any adjustments.”
Lux stared first at the closed door, then at the bundle of clothing in her arms. She tromped to the bed where she threw the garments atop it and proceeded to select the soft, red dress from amongst the pile. It appeared almost otherworldly. Like she should put it on and sit in a field of dense, dark blooms and mushrooms.
“How can a man like him make something like this?”
Her fingers strayed down the trailing sleeves before touching the round neckline. There was no adornment. No delicate stitching or ribbons or frills. That was fine with her. She’d long ago buried her love of ribbons. In the center of the room, she shrugged off her dressing robe and pulled the dress on. A lacing tucked against either side cinched her waist as she tied it. It felt positively decadent against her skin.
Lux ran to the mirror.
Her hair was damp still and hung limp just beneath her shoulders, but the rest of her looked…soft.She couldn’t remember ever having worn this color. She swished to the side to better view her back. Darting had been added to the base of her spine, accentuating her curves, and she blushed, imagining Shaw’s expression with vivid accuracy. She must be sure to keep it and wear it upon her return.
If I return,interrupted her head.
Lux’s breath caught as that hollow sensation in her chest returned. It’d been worse last night, as most things were, butshe’d been doing better at burying it during the daytime. It was both unexpected and unwanted in how wide it suddenly yawned.
“Who would have guessed you’d grow so sick of being alone so quickly. That used to be all you knew.” Her reflection revealed one eyebrow cocked in accusation until her eyes darted to something of greater interest.
She stepped forward.
The mirror upon the wall had been encased in dark wood, and that wood, she noticed now, had seen the hands of an artist. Lux brushed her fingertips along the carved vines and thorns, but it was only when the pad of her forefinger traced the familiar shape of a letter, that she realized this was similar to the gate outside. These carvings created words, and those words contained a message.
She leaned back to better view what it said.
May Brilliance Lead You To The Greatest Destination
“May brilliance—” Lux broke off and scoffed. “Literal or a riddle? Hmm, I hate it either way.”
A soft tap interrupted her musings.
“I’ve arrived to escort you to breakfast,” spoke a subdued voice outside the door.
“Damn it all!” Tripping on her skirt, Lux flew to the dressing room, where she pulled on hose and boots and combed her damp hair with her fingers. She caught sight of herself in a looking glass and couldn’t help but laugh.
Let them see the wild-haired girl and her dirty boots and think she’s off to ensnare a frost-eyed collector now.
Imbeciles.
Chapter seventeen
Luxtrailedherhandalong the balustrade. Not a scratch snagged her finger.
She watched her serious escort discreetly. Hildred refused to connect her gaze with Lux’s, but the woman didn’t seem frightened, only unsure. Like she must be given directions at every turn. Maybe she was new here.
The staircase loomed as silence spread between them, and Lux slowed at the balcony’s end. The portraits of the late Grimrook family would not be ignored. There were a fair few of them, and they all appeared similar with various shades of dark hair and light eyes. Before she realized, she’d stopped entirely and said, “Is the family buried here? Somewhere on the grounds?”
“In the garden.”
“Inthe garden?”
“The Saints honor their sacrifice.”
Lux swung her head around. “Sacrifice?”
