My stepmother shot me a glare. “I raised you for the better half of your life and this is how you repay me,” she said, sniveling. “Patricia won’t acknowledge me. She’ll tell everyone at court what a horrid stepdaughter I have. And Genevieve! Oh, my poor, dear, beautiful Genevieve! Your name will be dragged down with this scandal!”
Genevieve and I exchanged a look. She was trying not to smile. “This hardly counts as a scandal, Mama, and I am sure Dame Alderidge has other people to gossip about.”
“She gossips about everyone. Everyone!” Lydia wailed.
I wanted to remark that Dame Alderidge wasn’t a very good friend, but held my tongue.
“And Mr. Sternfeld. Oh, Mr. Sternfeld is sure to take back his dinner invitation.” Her words were muffled as she buried her face into her handkerchief again. “The tea party was supposed to be in his honor. And youruinedit!”
This time, I couldn’t help but speak. “I’m sure I did him a favor. Julianna was clinging to him like a leech.”
Lydia glared at me again. It would’ve been intimidating if her nose were not so red. “I’m sure he prefers Julianna now! I can’t blame the man.Shewon’t put dirt in his tea!”
Genevieve cleared her throat. “Actually, Mama, Mr. Sternfeld sent us a note today. He wanted to know if we were still available for dinner tomorrow.”
“A letter? Helene, have we received a letter from Mr. Sternfeld?”
Lydia’s personal maid, who was standing behind the couch, nodded. “It was addressed to Miss Genevieve, Madam.”
My stepmother’s lips trembled. “A note personally written by Mr. Sternfeld addressed to Genevieve?”
Genevieve colored. “It’s nothing, Mama.”
Lydia made a high-pitched noise at the back of her throat. “Nothing, dear? It is everything!” She shot up from the couch, nearly tumbling over the coffee table. “There is no doubt about it! The gentleman fancies you, Genevieve. I knew you weren’t so beautiful for nothing!”
Lydia whooped and laughed. Her handkerchief lay abandoned on the armrest, already dry.
Genevieve was now very red in the face.
“That rotten Patricia will have nothing to say if Mr. Sternfeld chooses Genevieve. Her daughter never stood a chance!”
I sputtered. “But I thought—”
“Hush!” Lydia said, pacing before the fireplace. “We must present ourselves properly tomorrow. Especially you, Genevieve! Hurry! Go upstairs and find something flattering to wear.”
My stepsister blinked. “Now?”
“Yes now!”
Genevieve shot me an astonished look as she left the parlor. Even she wasn’t used to her mother’s odd moods.
I tucked the needle in my embroidery, ready to slip off, but Lydia stopped me with a frown.
“Yes, stepmother?” I said nonchalantly.
She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not done with you. Your conduct has been atrocious, Amarante.”
“I already apologized to everyone!”
“I am not speaking of this incident alone. For the past four years, you have wreaked havoc for no apparent reason than to make my life difficult.”
“For the last time, stepmother, Julianna—”
“I will hear none of it! Playing pranks as a young lady is most unbecoming. You are almost seventeen, Amarante. It is time to grow up and act like a gentleman’s daughter.”
I crossed my arms. “Papa is a merchant, not a gentleman.”
“He is as good as a gentleman with the wealth he has provided us. Must you be so contrary?” Lydia rubbed her temples. “You and Genevieve are of marriageable age. I will see both of you settled. Genevieve will be no problem, of course. Whether she marries or not, she still has the makings of a great artist. Butyou. What am I to do with you?”
