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EDEN
“What about that one? He’s got nice hair, don’t you think? And look at those arms…” I point discretely around my fan at a nobleman who’s stood by a buffet table.
He does have nice hair. And thick arms that flex beneath the fabric of his white, tight-fitting—
“He smells like horse manure,” Fern, my younger sister, says.
I spit out a laugh. “What?”
“I walked past him a few dances ago and the smell was horrible. That’s why he’s not dancing with anyone. The servants would have to start handing out nose plugs.”
I snort behind my fan. “Shall we set him up with Blossom then? Or maybe Camellia?” I laugh as I picture my sisters turning green in their puff-sleeve ball gowns.
“Camellia would probably cry.” Fern grins. “Let’s do it.”
I swat her arm playfully before turning back to the ballroom decorated with huge pink bows.
We don’t normally celebrate our birthdays like this. Before Amaryllis ran away, the eldest of my eleven sisters, our birthday parties would be small private celebrations. Father would have a feast laid out in our parlour, or maybe in our dance circle if we asked nicely enough. There would be gifts and musicians, but only the twelve of us would ever be permitted to attend.
Even at official balls Father would encourage us to dance only with each other or gentlemen that he’d vetted personally.
But now, with Amaryllis gone, he’s been throwing balls and letting us dance with whoever we like. Every week there are new princes and lords to fawn over us. And it looks like Blossom’s birthday was the perfect excuse to throw another matchmaking party.
Not that I mind meeting suitors. Unlike most of my sisters, I’ve been dreaming about my perfect fairytale wedding since Heather gave me my first romance book.
Me in a gorgeous white gown. Him in a perfectly tailored suit, handmade by me, of course. Roses. Confetti. A seven-tiered cake. I want it all!
And I know Fern wants it too. She’s just too shy. Which is why I’ve made it my mission tonight to find her someone to dance with.
Just maybe not horse manure man.
“What about him then?” I nod at a dark-haired, muscular man in a black silk outfit. He’s got good taste in his clothing, at least. Even if Fern’s not interested, I’d love to take a closer look at that embroidery.
“He’s decent, I suppose.” She blushes behind her fan. “But too handsome for me.”
“Too handsome for you?” I scoff. “Fern, if that were true then I wouldn’t stand a chance with any of the suitors here.”
Fern is definitely the most unique-looking of the twelve of us. Over the years, she’s been picked on for her milky-white skin, sharp features and pale hair – mostly by our younger sisters who didn’t know better. The servants would never dare to bully one of us.
But tonight, she looks beautiful, even with the silly gold gowns Blossom forced us all to wear. Her hair has been woven into a flower-decorated bun. The emeralds in her tiara bring out the soft green of her eyes. She looks like a princess from a fairy tale.
And I’m going to find her a prince.
“Let’s go and talk to him.” I lead her through the crowd.
“Eden, no! He won’t like me!”
“Then we’ll find someone better for you to dance with.”
“But what if he—”
“No buts!” I guide her past Camellia, who seems to be having a very uncomfortable conversation with a wrinkly lord, and Dahlia, who’s stomping towards the buffet tables.
My brows shoot up at the gown Dahlia’s wearing. It’s red and tight-fitting with a long slit up her thigh. Definitely not the gown she was supposed to wear.
But I’m not in the mood to have another chat with her tonight, especially after our last conversation ended up with me having to wrangle her horse back into its stall after convincing her not to run away.
