Cassia attempted to hide her horror as she turned toward Gynelle.
“But I would think your truffles are in need of your attention, for you have been away so long,” offered Gynelle in her perfect unassuming tone.
“Oh, it is so good of you to think about my dear fungi.” He smiled at them both, Cassia noticing his prominent nostrils raised as he continued. “But I made sure Magess Degowyn’s under gardener kept his eye on them so I could pay a lengthy visit to my fair cousins.”
“Naturally,” said both sisters in unison. Had Master Clovis any awareness, he would have registered the sisters deflating.
Suddenly Alyria’s shrill words filled Longbourn House twice as much as usual, which was saying something. “You’ll be sure to dance with all of us, right cousin?” She danced around him in a circle.
Master Clovis nodded.
Appeased, Alyria continued. “Mama,” she nearly shouted, “Have you seen my slippers? I cannot dance without my special burgundy slippers!”
The maid came rushing in, slippers in hand. Alyria continued as her ample brown curls bounced. “I plan to dance every dance with someone! Clovis, Deston, Malum! I shall never sit down!”
Cassia shook her head and whispered to her sister. “Remember that it would be a scandal to dance more than once with anyone unless you have a serious attachment. And Alyria, you would do well to rein in your general flirting and try to employ a gentle demeanor…”
“Oh Cassia, always preaching,” cried Mistress Retton. “Alyria is our best dancer to be sure! I am convinced there is no better place than Netherfield for dancing. Gynelle, remember youarepermitted two dances with a certain gentleman, if he asks. I dohope my girls all catch husbands tonight!”
“Mama, that is alittlefar-fetched,” said Gynelle, with a calm, even tone.
The far-fetched musings continued until they pulled up to Netherfield and Master Retton properly handed each lady out of the carriage. Mistress Retton drew breath for the first time since they set into motion and hugged her youngest daughter.
Cassia, who had chosen silence, now felt true speechlessness as she gazed up at Netherfield. She had missed its full magnitude in her short visit with Gynelle, too preoccupied by the sudden rain and the foreboding presence of a certain high mage. She wondered if he had located the ley lines he sought but tried to think nothing more of the sinister man whom she’d undoubtedly have to view that evening. The proximity of Netherfield now did make the grandeur more impressive. Three stories rose in perfect symmetry, great columns rising to give it a Greco-Roman feel. The windows shone forth with a self-importance, and nearly all of the rooms sparkled. How many candles they had lit in this setting sun she could not imagine. Unless, of course, Mage Blythesome really could conjure gold and had somehow crafted reflectors for all of his candles to magnify their natural light.
The press of Gynelle’s hand brought Cassia back to the front door. Both girls looked at each other with large eyes and Cassia blew out a small gust of air before braving the threshold.
“Good evening ladies,” cried Mage Blythesome as soon as he spied them. A few guests walked ahead of them, but he clearly had eyes only for Gynelle and her party. His warm greeting was tempered a few degrees by the personified glacier to his right. High Mage Darkwood did not so much as twitch a brow or offer a greeting as he slightly bowed.
“It is so good to see you here,” Mage Blythesome carried on. “As soon as I am finished welcoming a few more guests, I will find you presently.” Cassia beheld a true smile emerge on her sister’s face, not one of her fake ones bestowed only to be courteous. It was becoming more clear she really did have feelings for the man.
No sooner had they made their way into the throng than Cassia watched Alyria frantically search for Lieutenant Malum. Cassia hoped his logical mind and refined manners would prove a tempering one to her giddy sister. After all, he had promised at their card night that he would be here, despite Darkwood’s proximity, but neither sister could make out his noble brow and thick head of hair amongst any of the officers.
“My fair cousin,” said Master Clovis, bowing. They had walked in together, but his ceremoniously formal tone took Cassia by surprise. “May I claim the first dance of the evening?”
She knew it was coming, but it felt unpleasant nonetheless. She accepted, and then excused herself to find Cidel Lywin.
Alyria solved her mystery within two minutes and came up to Cassia. “Lieutenant Deston says Malum is delayed, in London!”
“How unfortunate,” whispered Cassia, “That’s one less distraction from Master Clo—”
“Ah, Miss Alyria,” said their portly cousin as he walked closer, “Might I claim you for the allemande? I hear your lightness of foot is unparalleled.”
She clapped her hands, and Cassia was sure her sister forgot Malum in an instant. “I would be delighted, sir.”
Cassia steeled herself for the first set as the music sounded. The dance couldn’t end soon enough. Mr. Clovis stepped on her so often Cassia wondered if her toes would be able to render themselves useful for the remainder of the evening. When the dance ended she skirted the edge of the floor, searching again for Cidel Lywin and bemoaning the mussed state of her slippers when she looked up abruptly toward two young men.
“Good evening,” said the even tone of High Mage Darkwood, perhaps a shade more pleasant than the last time she spoke to him. Cassia curtsied and then stole a look at the man next to him: his tan, attractive, good natured cousin. “Good evening, High Mage Darkwood.” She employed a truer smile, “And good evening, Mage Colonel Caliazo.” The man wasn’t in regimentals, but in a becoming, dark green jacket. “I see you have remained with your cousin, though you’ve given up the uniform.” She was grateful to have someone other than Darkwood to talk to if they were to be in such close proximity.
“Oh yes, my next venture is to take Darkwood’s living when it becomes vacant.”
“I see,” said Cassia. So Malum’s livinghadfallen to this gentleman. She eyed him more warily.
“Yes, I, um we,” started High Mage Darkwood. He had been studying her face, she had felt it, during their interaction, and though he began to speak again, seemed slightly flustered. He pushed his shoulders back and gathered himself. “I wish for a dance this evening, the allemande if you have it free.”
Cassia found herself inhaling quickly. She let out a fast, “Of course.”
Then to Cassia’s delight, Caliazo stepped forward as she felt a warm pepperminty gust pushed past her face as he proffered a bow and offered an immense grin. “And I would love this next dance, I believe it is the quadrille?”
