“With the queen? I thought it was supposed to be with Duchess Wilhelmina,” Genevieve said, closing her sketchbook.
“Apparently there’s been a change of plans,” Tori said. “Her Grace will be hosting the soirée instead.”
“What’s a swa-ray?” a small voice emerged underneath the coffee table. Vicky poked her head out, giving Tori a gap-toothed grin.
“None of your business, that’s what,” her sister said brusquely. “Why don’t you go play with Ria?”
Vicky pouted. “Fine,” she said. “You never have time to play with me anymore.”
“That’s because I have things to do. Now run along.”
“Why don’tyourun along, you big, ugly—”
At the sight of me and Genevieve, Vicky darted under the table with a gasp. The three of us watched her make a stealthy escape out the parlor on all fours.
Tori shook her head. “Weird kid,” she muttered.
The short carriage ride to the palace seemed to drag on as I thought about the duchess. It was a relief that I wouldn’t have to see her again so soon, but something nagged at the back of my mind—the plume of scarlet smoke from the queen’s goblet at the Debutante Ball. Was it magic? Or something else? The crabgrass in the garden certainly wasn’t magic. I sighed. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.
Tori, Genevieve, and I were escorted into the south wing of the palace, where the royals lodged and personal gatherings took place. This, I heard a girl whisper, was the exclusive of the exclusive.
It was nearing afternoon when we seated ourselves underneath a large, ornate gazebo out in the Queen’s Garden. Hedges, fountains, and hydrangea bushes were arranged tastefully around us. Five tables were set out, and the three of us managed to find seats with Olivia, who was silent at our arrival, and another debutante.
We didn’t have to wait long for Queen Cordelia to appear.
She glided in, dressed in a gown of aqua blue and looking as regal and elegant as ever.
The twenty-five of us stood. “Good afternoon, Your Majesty,” we said in unison.
The queen smiled. “Welcome, and good afternoon to all of you. Unfortunately, Duchess Wilhelmina is unable to join us right now, but I believe she will be roaming around later to meet you all.”
I suppressed a groan.
“Before we begin tea, why don’t each of you introduce yourselves?” Queen Cordelia said, gesturing to the table closest to her, which also happened to be the farthest from me.
Julianna went first. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Julianna Alderidge.”
“I am Tessa Donahue and I am positively enchanted to be a part of this year’s Season.”
“I am Samantha Faas. Delighted to meet everyone.”
One after another, each debutante introduced themselves. Some appeared too full of themselves, some out of their comfort zone, and some as stoic as a rock. When it finally came to our table, my hands were slick with sweat. For a moment I wished that I had already gone, or made an excuse to go to the powder room.
Tori stood first and cleared her throat. “I am Victoria Strongfoot, also known as Tori if we happen to be bosom friends. Absolutely spiffingly enchanted to be here this afternoon.”
It took everything in me not to snort at her faux pompous air. Some of the debutantes looked scandalized, while a few had suppressed smiles.
Genevieve went next and executed her introduction with perfect dignity and grace. After the other debutante at our table, Rachel Estelle, did the same, I realized it was down to me and Olivia. The poor girl looked petrified. I took it as a sign to go next.
“Hello. I’m Amarante Flora,” I said, opting for a quick curtsy. “Lovely to be here.”
As I sat, Olivia stood shakily, tucking a braid behind her ear.
“I-I-I’m Bolivia...um, Olivia Sternfeld. H-happy to m-m...”
The rest of her sentence faded into a whisper. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the girl as she sat and sunk into her high-necked dress.
The queen gave a warm smile Olivia certainly didn’t see six inches into her collar.
