The champagne was working a little too well, and if I was going to make it through the rest of the night, I had to put something in my stomach. I was grazing, sampling bits of food as I made my way down the table. As I paused, taking in all the options, I heard snickering and hushed whispers right behind me.
“... it only makes sense,” one woman said. “After all who have fled her.”
Another woman replied, “Yes, it’s true. I heard from Sir Huntington’s daughter, Bridgette, that her father hired him just to be with his daughter. He made him secondhand too so it would be more impressive. She ran off any qualified suitors, so they had to resort to paying someone who can’t leave.” She let out a huffed laugh as if she couldn’t believe it.
“He’s so handsome too. What a poor man to be stuck with ... that.”
Another woman piped up, “It won’t be long before she curses him too.”
Fury sparked within me, a fire I could only tamp down, smother and pretend it never existed along with all the rest. No matter who I married or what right I did, it would always be wrong to them. My life was a story, and they were the writers. And there was a part of me that believed it. Father did arrange for us to court. Though I had seen what Sebastian was capable of, and he far surpassed the skill of the Society. That’s what Father saw in him, a soldier. But maybe he wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
Maybe Sebastian was right. I was giving them power. But I did not know how to get it back.
I had to catch myself. We were not really courting, though that was how it appeared. We were simply working together. It wouldn’t matter if Father paid him or not. None of this was real.
“What’s the matter, gray? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Too soon?”
I glared up at James, elbowing him deep in the ribs. His smug smirk didn’t even falter.
“But really, are you okay?” His expression turned serious.
I picked up my fourth glass and shrugged. “Same old thing.”
“Who?” His tone darkened.
I didn’t mean to, but I glanced behind my shoulder before I could think better of it.
He eyed the women, his eyes narrowing. He strolled over to them, his glower morphing into a charming smirk. And he was charming. He was handsome and witty, and women always melted around him. These women were no different. Their expressions immediately transformed into seraphic, rosy-cheeked does. They only seemed to startle for a fraction of a second when they realized my presence.
“Hey, Clarice,” he purred. Her eyes lit up eagerly, until his tone changed abruptly. “I saw a bucket of oats back in the stable with your name on it.” It was an unfortunate resemblance. One I would never point out, of course. Though when James saw a clear shot, he took it with no hesitation. Her mouth fell open and snapped shut quickly. She glanced around hoping no one heard.
“And, Gretchen.” He grinned widely, and she shrank away from him. “Who are we to judge when you have a husband with one foot in the coffin, a coffin made of gold, no doubt. We all know it wasn’t his charm that caught the attention of a young girl such as yourself.” Her face pinched up into a scowl.
He eyed the third girl and tilted his head to the side to give them one last chance to repent. Before he could open his mouth to deliver the third blow, they all scoffed, nearly out of breath from disbelief, and scattered in different directions. He turned to me triumphant and grinning.
“As fun as that was, you really need to learn how to bite back, gray.”
“I don’t think I could ever be half as eloquent as you.”
“That’s true.” He shrugged.
“Charlotte!” Olivia called my name like a bird’s trill.
She bounded through the crowd appearing like the goddess of sunshine in a gilded, shimmering gown. Her shiny, cascading locks bounced with her movement. She grabbed my hand, clutching ittightly. My champagne sloshed, nearly spilling over the edge. I gulped the rest of it down and set down the glass.
“Father gave Edward his blessing!” I didn’t think her smile could get any bigger.
“That’s wonderful, Olivia.” I pulled her in for a hug and nearly toppled us both over as I swayed. The room started spinning as all the champagne finally caught up with me.
She clutched my upper arms, stabilizing me, James’ hand at my waist. “Charlotte.” Her voice turned wary. “Your eyes are glassy. How much champagne have you had?”
“Not enough.” I reached for another glass, and James swatted my hand away. I glared at him, and he glared right back.
“Maybe you should sit down,” she said gently as if I were a wild animal she didn’t want to scare away.
“It’s nothing a little cheese can’t fix.” I grabbed a cube and shoved it in my mouth, followed by another one. I froze mid chew. A chill crept up my spine and settled beneath my skin, as if he walked into the room bringing the cold night air in with him, his presence all-consuming and demanding. But I couldn’t see him. A hidden phantom stalking me from the shadows. Pinpricks scattered across the back of my neck as I felt his eyes on me.
Movement shifted beside me though my eyes were still locked on the same empty space. I blinked as I took in Pari’s vibrant red gown. She eyed me and sighed.
