“Repeat that and I’ll—”
I pulled Tori back before she did any damage. “What do you want, Julianna?” I said, glaring. Hadn’t she humiliated me enough?
“I wonder what the Sternfelds would think if they hear about this,” Julianna said with a sly smirk. “How improper for a soon-to-be lord to be associating with such...promiscuous young ladies.” Her eyes slid from me to my stepsister. It didn’t take long for me to get her meaning.
She was jealous of Cedric’s interest in Genevieve. What would happen once news of my blunder spread to the neighborhood? Genevieve and I would be labeled as shameless flirts. Lord Gideon made it evident last week that he disapproved of us. The gossip would no doubt push him over the edge and Cedric would no longer be able to look at Genevieve without judgment.
And Lydia. What would Lydia do once she discovers that my mistakes cost Genevieve her reputation and the affection of a rich suitor?
Julianna grew even more smug at my reaction. I had never wanted to box her face so badly. Even so, I controlled myself. Starting a brawl at the palace wouldn’t improve my situation.
“So? You’ll gossip whether I want you to or not,” I said steadily, though I was anything but.
Genevieve took my hand. “The Sternfelds have better judgment than you think, Julianna,” she said coolly. “It’s your word against ours.”
I squeezed my stepsister’s fingers, beyond relieved to have her support though her reputation was on the line because of me. My only hope was Julianna would buy our bluff.
Julianna’s face grew tomato red. “Forget the Sternfelds! They clearly have no taste in good society,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me. “Just you wait, Amarante. Everyone who is anyone will hear about your behavior tonight.” With that, she harrumphed and stomped away.
I let go of a breath. It was just me she wanted to humiliate now, but I still couldn’t afford to have Lord Gideon or Lydia hear about this. Whether she meant to or not, Julianna would ruin Genevieve’s coming out if she ruined mine.
“Nicely handled,” Tori said as she watched my neighbor’s retreating figure.
Genevieve touched my arm. “Don’t worry, Amarante. She probably doesn’t mean it.”
How I hoped that were true.
5
The cold mornings grewshorter and the sun began to cast its sweltering rays on the earth below. June was fast approaching and with that the Debutante Ball, marking the commencement of the dreaded Season.
A week had passed since the Welcome Banquet Disaster with Duchess Wilhelmina. Lydia had no clue of my blunder as Genevieve left it out when recounting our time at the palace. I spent days brewing over Julianna’s threat. I almost expected to wake up to taunts and rotten eggs thrown at our windows, but I was only met with silence. It was the silence that worried me.
It could only mean Julianna was waiting for a bigger, wealthier audience. An audience like the guests of the Debutante Ball. No doubt she decided that exposing me in high society was the more satisfying option.
My mind swam with thoughts of water spills, Duchess Wilhelmina’s disapproving face, and the ball of humiliation that loomed over me. I prayed that Papa would write back and tell Lydia I cannot go, that I was too young or he was too poor. But fate disregarded my hopes.
