Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Aubrey sighs and lifts one shoulder in an awkward shrug. “I don’t know. Mama never said a bad word about him, and he won’t talk about it.”
Despite Aubrey’s position, her beautiful dress and having favor in the Court, I feel sorry for my friend. At least I grew up with one parent who loves me, though, sometimes, Mama could give the Archduke a run for his money, when it comes to strictness.
Suddenly, Aubrey clutches my arm. “That man over there. That’s Viscount Karloff. Daddy wants me to marry him.”
A reedy, chinless young man is hovering a dozen feet away, flicking his hopeful gaze at Aubrey.
“He talked about himself the whole time we were dancing the other night, and when he found out I rode, he lectured me about the correct way to teach a horse to piaffe. As if I don’t know.”
“Quite.” I have no idea what piaffing even is, but I get her point.
“He has draconian ideas about law and order, too. Seems to think we should implement a curfew and track all citizens to prevent another revolution from happening under our noses. No wonder Daddy likes him.” She casts a desperate look at me. “It’s rude of me to ask you a favor after what Daddy did, but will you help me?”
“Throw off Karloff, you mean? Why don’t you just tell the Archduke you don’t want to marry him?”
Aubrey stares at me, wide-eyed. “Tell him something and expect him to listen to me? No, this is the only way.”
She’s probably right. “What do you want me to do?”
Aubrey whispers in my ear, and I look at her in surprise. “I can’t tell him that. What if he tells other people? You might never live it down.”
“Any man who believes such a ridiculous rumor isn’t worth a cent. Oh, god. Here he comes.”
Viscount Karloff stands in front of us and bends at the waist. Aubrey takes her chance and nips smartly away, disappearing into the crowd. When Karloff straightens, I’m the only one standing in front of him.
I smile broadly at him. “Hello. Nice to meet you, I’m Wraye.”
Karloff glances around in confusion. “Where did…? Oh. How do you do Lady, ah…?”
“Lady Wraye. Sorry about Aubrey. Call of nature.”
Karloff’s too polite to walk away from me, though he’s clearly peeved that Aubrey ditched him. “Have you known Lady Aubrey for long?”
“Oh, yes. She’s managing so well, in the circumstances.”
Karloff smiles politely and nods, and then what I’ve said finally burrows into his mind. “Pardon?”
“She had to give him up. It must have been heart-wrenching.”
Karloff stares, his eyes growing as round as saucers. “It was?”
“Yes. The horse she left behind.”
His expression clears. “Her horse, oh my, yes. How dreadful for her.”
“The doctors thought it was for the best.”
Karloff is back to looking bewildered.
“They were right,” I go on, warming to my subject. “It is unhealthy to feel about an animal the way you would about a man.” The expression on the Viscount’s face nearly makes me burst out laughing. “She’s trying not to pine, but it’s difficult for her. They had such a strong physical connection.”
It’s too much for Karloff. He stammers something about remembering an obligation, and hurries away. I duck my head and try to smother my giggles.
On the other side of the ballroom, Mama’s deep in conversation with an older woman with towering ostrich feathers in her hair. She’ll be gossiping all evening. Aubrey’s nowhere to be seen, so I decide to use the bathroom.
As I wander back to the ballroom, I picture what it must have been like twenty-seven years ago in these rooms. I’ve heard tales of blood all over the floors. Guards being slaughtered by People’s Republic soldiers. I picture the Archduke as a young man, taken prisoner as his King died.
I push through the gilt-inlaid door, but stop when I find myself in a room shrouded in darkness. I must have taken a wrong turn.
The lights flick on, and a cold voice speaks behind me. “How dare you.”
Oh, sugar.
I turn around and see Archduke Devrim Levanter in the doorway. A thrill of fear goes through me. I’d forgotten how striking he looks in his scarlet uniform. This isn’t just my friend’s father I’ve angered, but the head of the Court of Paravel and the King’s Guard.
I put up my hands. “Before you say anything, Aubrey asked me to tell Viscount Karloff that silly story.”
Levanter just stares at me like I’m the rotten spot on his apple.
I start to back away slowly. “She doesn’t want to marry that man, and she didn’t know how to tell you.”
Levanter follows me. “Aubrey would never do such a thing.”
I risk a glance over my shoulder as he’s talking. Rats. There’s no other exit. I could throw myself out of a window, but we’re two floors up. “Maybe you don’t know her as well as you think. When was the last time you talked to her? Really talked to her? Go and ask her yourself and you’ll see I’m telling the truth.”