Edmund shot me an easy smile.“I typically talk business with my clients here.”
“Very well, sir,” the receptionist said.He handed over a shiny brass key, which Edmund accepted.
We headed up five grand flights of marble stairs.I was somewhat out of breath when we finally reached the top and headed down a carpeted hall, where lamps in the shape of conch shells glowed a soft gold.Stopping at a door, Edmund unlocked the shiny brass knob and beckoned me to enter.
My jaw dropped at the penthouse suite that greeted us within.The vaulted ceiling was made of paneled glass that sparkled like crystal in the light.The inside of the suite was as elegantly furnished as any room in the palace, the furniture luxuriously upholstered in a soft seafoam brocade.From this height through the glass panes, Delibera resembled a miniature city speckled with trees and lamplight.Right then, I knew it was a mistake to have expected Edmund to be impressed by Witch Village when he had all this at his fingertips.
“Come, rest.I’ll ring for tea,” Edmund said, gesturing to the elegant sitting area in the center of the room.
I sat gingerly on a tufted couch upholstered with brocade, running my fingers over the satiny surface.With some shame, I looked down at my plain blouse and pinafore.Even the chairs were dressed better than I was.
A few minutes later, a servant brought up a tray of tea things, the silver polished to an eye-watering shine.I reached for the teapot, but Edmund held up a hand.
“Allow me,” he said.
I watched as he poured us both a cup of black tea, splashing milk and three cubes of sugar in each.I was suddenly aware of how different being alone with him felt now that the two of us were no longer in the village.This ridiculously luxurious penthouse belonged to Edmund de Clare, a wealthy and successful businessman, while I, a mere witch girl, was somehow his guest.
“You said you needed help with a business venture,” I began when the clinking of the tea things subsided.“What is it?”
I couldn’t imagine someone like Edmund needing help with anything—at least not the sort of help I could provide.I was only a witch with a failed dress shop.If anything,hewas helpingme.
Edmund set down the silver sugar tongs and laced his fingers together.“Giselle.You appealed to my father for a shop at Blanche de Clare some weeks ago, did you not?”
“You heard about that?”I asked, surprised.
“I did.It’s a shame he rejected you.I think you deserve a place there.”
I blushed, fidgeting.“I appreciate the sentiment, Edmund, but I don’t think it’s possible.”
“You’re talented.A royal seamstress.You’re sewing the crown princess’s wedding gown.You should have a thriving business,” Edmund said, leaning forward.He looked at me intently.“Do you want to make that happen?”
I blinked.“Of course.”I hadn’t had anyone ask me so directly.A successful shop was what I had set out to achieve when I first came aboveground.It would’ve been the hallmark of success, proof that I could make it on my own with my skills alone.It would’ve shown Ma that I had made the right choice.
It was too bad I never had it, and may not ever have.
“I can help you,” Edmund said.“If you help me.”
I cracked a smile.“How can I possibly helpyou?”
“As you know, because of my birth, I cannot inherit Blanche de Clare after my father’s death,” Edmund said.“Everything he has built will go to my cousin.”
I nodded.
“If I were to inherit, I would be able to give you a spot in his empire.”Edmund took my hands suddenly, his palms large and warm.“Help me change my father’s mind.”
My thoughts flew out of my head at that moment.Edmund was holding my hands.“H-how am I going to change his mind?”
Edmund only looked at me, his blue eyes so wide and earnest, framed by dark, curling lashes.A perfect set of eyes on a perfect face.
A face that belonged to someone who wanted to use me.
My blood ran cold.I pulled my hands away, my jaw clenched, my throat tight.It took everything in me to focus on breathing.
Edmund took my silence as hesitation.“You’ll need some time to think on it,” he said.“I understand.We can talk about it tomorrow, after our trip to the palace.”
I nodded woodenly.
“We both have something the other person wants.Think of it as a business transaction.We’re businesspeople, are we not?”
