Chapter 15

My emotions were a storm within me when we got back to the house. I was fuming at Cedric, of course—and I had every right to, after the way he’d behaved. At the same time, I inexplicably felt like crying. Even in the tensest moments of our early times together, we’d never truly fought like that. Having left with that anger between us made my chest ache. As hurt and furious as I was, I couldn’t stand the thought of us at odds. It was confusing, and my own heart was a mess.

My rumination slammed to a halt when I found my bedroom empty. I’d assumed Mira had been ahead of me since she hadn’t been outside when I was talking to Cedric and Warren. Nothing to worry about, I thought. She must have been in one of the later carriages.

But as I prepared for sleep and the night wore on, there was still no sign of her. Everyone else was back, blearily making their way to bed. It left me with a dilemma. Should I tell Mistress Culpepper? What if something had happened to Mira? On the other hand, I knew Mira’s ways. It was entirely possible she’d sneaked off to explore the city after all. Reporting her absence would get her in trouble. Cedric would have been a neutral party to go to, but after our fight, I wasn’t willing to do that. Mira was tough, I told myself. She’d be okay.

And sure enough, when I woke up, she was in her bed.

“I was worried about you,” I told her. I didn’t ask her outright what had happened, but the expectant tone in my voice left no question that I was eager for more information.

“I’m sorry,” she said, pausing to stretch and yawn. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Thank you for not telling anyone.”

When she still didn’t offer any explanation, I asked, “Were you out exploring the city?”

She hesitated. “Yes. Foolish, I know.”

“Something could have happened to you! Promise me you won’t do it again. It’s not safe for a woman alone.”

“The world never is,” she muttered.

I waited for more, but it didn’t come. “You didn’t promise.”

“Because I can’t.”

“Mira—”

“Adelaide,” she interrupted. “You have to trust that I wouldn’t do anything—dangerous or otherwise—without a good reason. But . . . well, we all have our secrets. I know you do too, and I respect that.”

I nodded, knowing that pushing her would make me a hypocrite when I held so much back. “Just tell me this,” I said at last. “You weren’t out with the Alanzans, were you?” I couldn’t think of anything else covert she’d be doing and wasn’t sure I could handle two heretics in my life.

She laughed in surprise. “No. Why would you think that?”

“Because, well, you’re from Sirminica. And you always know so much about them.”

“I do,” she said, sobering a little. “I was raised among them, I’m sympathetic to them, but no, I’m not one of them. Their ways are just kind of etched in my mind. When I see a clear full moon, I think how it’d be perfect for one of their weddings. And I always know their holidays. Like, tomorrow is the Star Advent, not that I’ll celebrate it.”

“Star Advent,” I repeated, unfamiliar with the term. “Is that some ritual full of sordid acts?”

“You’re thinking of the Spring Rites—and they aren’t actually so sordid. Plenty of Alanzans have strong morals. The Star Advent is a more solemn holiday.”

I nodded, unsure how to feel about her actions. I was glad she wasn’t in danger of being arrested for heretical religion . . . but if it wasn’t that, then what other danger might she be entangled in?

I received no answers, and a whirlwind day soon ensued. There was no rest for us after last night’s gala. The afternoon was packed with appointments from prospective suitors who wanted to speak to us in private. The house was put to full use as Mistress Culpepper arranged rooms for these meetings and assigned chaperones to each one. I had four meetings throughout the day, one with a gentleman I’d met last night and three who were new. Miss Bradley chaperoned two, and Aiana did the other two. She said little to me, only giving a smile of greeting.

So many men walked in and out of the house that day, but Cedric wasn’t one of them.

It ate at me in a way I hadn’t expected. Since leaving Osfrid, I’d seen him on a daily basis. His presence was a fixed part of my life now. A quip here, a knowing smile there. Without him, Wisteria Hollow seemed like an entirely different place. I felt like a different person. A very unhappy one.

He showed up that evening to play chaperone at a party being hosted for the top three girls: me, Mira, and Heloise. Heloise was the Swan Ridge girl who’d inherited the second spot. Like Mira, she’d originally had a slightly less precious stone, so they’d done a hasty upgrade from peridot to emerald, which allowed her to keep her green wardrobe. It was a painful reminder of Tamsin.

I tried striking up a conversation with him along the way, but he said no more than was absolutely necessary. He barely made eye contact. When we arrived at the home of one of Cape Triumph’s most prosperous merchants, he melted into the background, letting us claim the attention at the party while he simply supervised.

The house was impressive by Adorian standards, a large estate with many servants. This was among the top positions a Glittering Court girl might marry into, and I tried to imagine myself as mistress of such a place. There were few in Denham that could match it, except perhaps the governor’s home. Our merchant host was a pleasant, fairly attractive man who doted on all of us, but nothing special about him struck me. I smiled and made small talk but did little else to distinguish myself. If I were being mercenary and simply comparing men based on their resources, Warren still won handily—at least once he was established in Hadisen.

When we left, our host told us he’d be in touch, but it was obvious Heloise was his favorite. She beamed on the ride home, and I was happy for her.

“You three are going to the governor’s house tomorrow night,” Cedric told us. “For a private dinner. I won’t be able to escort you, but I believe my father will.”

Whatever Cedric might think of the governor and his son, he kept his face and manner perfectly businesslike. That ache in my chest intensified.

The rest of the girls were home from their engagements when we returned to the house. They were all still up, abuzz with the latest news from town—which was much more substantial than in previous days. Lorandian soldiers had been spotted near the northern borders of the Osfridian colonies. A man, drunk on too much wine, claimed he’d been rescued from thieves by two pirate vigilantes. To the west, Icori had been sighted on Osfridian lands, stirring up fears that they might march on us. Some even claimed the Icori were harassing the northern colonies. Back here, a merchant ship carrying sugar and spices had disappeared, meaning prices would rise. A pagan colony called Westhaven had received permission from the crown for settlement.

So much of the news was overly sensational that I had a hard time believing it was true. There was little fact to back it up. The only item I felt certain of was the news about Westhaven. I knew it was religiously tolerant, not exactly pagan, but for most people, those things were one and the same.

I went to bed, not interested in gossip. Mira stayed a little longer but soon followed me up. Yet, when I woke once in the middle of the night, I could see by the moonlight that her bed was empty. When morning came, she was back.

“Do you want to discuss what happened last night?” she asked as we got ready for the day.

“Are you talking about when you weren’t in your bed again?”

She shook her head. “I’m talking about you and Cedric refusing to make eye contact.”

“Oh.” I turned back to the mirror and pretended to be fixated on pinning back a curl. “We had a fight, that’s all.”

“That can’t be all, not if it’s bringing you both down so much. If you were mad at someone like Jasper or Charles, I’d say not to worry about it. It’s business. You don’t ever have to see them again. But with Cedric . . . I can tell it’s different. There’s a bond there, something I can’t quite put my finger on.”

“I owe him,” I said softly. “And that’s forced me to make some hard choices.” Like choosing him over Tamsin, I thought.

“Do you want to talk about them?”

“Yes. But I can’t.” She started to interrupt, and I held up a hand so I could continue. “I know, I know. I can tell you anything. But that doesn’t mean I should. Not yet, at least. Some things have to stay secret, like why you go out at night. I keep hoping it’s some romance with a dashing and wealthy man, but I doubt it. What I know is that you wouldn’t do it without good reason and that you wouldn’t keep it secret without good reason. That’s how it is with this. There are lots of things I wish I could tell you—”

Mira caught me in a hug. “You don’t have to tell me anything. I trust whatever you’re doing. But . . .” She pulled back and looked me in the eye. “You need to fix things with Cedric. You’re not yourself.”

Her words stayed with me, but I never had a chance to fix anything. Cedric was gone again that day, and the schedule much like the previous one, packed with appointments. Heloise received a marriage offer from the wealthy merchant, which she readily accepted, making her the first of us to seal a contract.

Without her, Clara was bumped up to the top three and accompanied us to the governor’s dinner. Jasper chaperoned us, as Cedric had mentioned, and told us that his son was out with friends. I wondered at that, since as far as I knew, Cedric didn’t have any friends in town. It seemed more likely that Jasper simply wanted the honor of bringing us to such an important event.

“Welcome to our home,” said Mistress Doyle, greeting us personally at the door. Warren’s mother was a striking woman, with no gray in her black hair and a walk full of confidence. I remembered Cedric saying she’d been a baron’s daughter, and the marks of nobility still remained. The governor joined her, and he too was a handsome man, showing a strong resemblance to Warren. His whole nature was gregarious but charismatic, which seemed appropriate for a politician. He soon wandered off, more interested in talking business with other men of the colony than investigating prospective daughters-in-law.

Warren greeted us as well, but it was me he honed in on. Clara and, to my surprise, Mira both made attempts to charm him. Equally astonishing was, well, how good Mira seemed to have become at it. I couldn’t believe any man would be immune to that lovely, knowing smile of hers, but Warren was. As soon as it was polite to do so, he took my hand and led me through the party.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he said. “I’m excited to show you my family’s home and let you meet some of Denham’s finest citizens.”

Many of the guests I’d already met at the gala and last night’s dinner, and I realized that although this get-together was for Warren’s benefit, other bachelor friends of the governor were scouting us out too.

The house was even finer than the merchant’s. I came to realize that no place in Adoria would have that old, regal feel of the elite in Osfrid. Affluence was displayed in a newer, more modern way, and once I got used to that, I could appreciate the magnificence of the Doyle estate.

“Of course we wouldn’t have anything like this right away,” Warren told me as we entered a conservatory holding a large harp and a few other instruments—great luxuries in the New World. “But I’d make sure we aren’t in some shack either. Eventually, we could achieve this level. That’s what my father did.”

“Has he been governor for long?” I asked, studying a painting. It was by Morel, a famed Lorandian artist, and Warren had acquired it while studying in that country for a year. I wondered if Cedric’s agent had considered the Doyles as potential buyers for my painting.

“Fifteen years.” It was obviously a matter of pride for Warren. “Lord Howard Davis was the governor originally appointed by the king. My father was lieutenant governor, and together, they helped establish Denham and drive out the Icori. When my father took over, he continued that legacy—making this a safe and prosperous place.”

“He’s done an excellent job,” I admitted. “Everyone knows Denham’s the most successful colony. Money and trade flow back and forth between it and Osfrid.”

Warren made a slight face. “Well, Osfrid seems to get more of the money, but—”

“Warren, dear?”

Mistress Doyle entered the room, gliding beautifully in a cream-colored satin dress. “You’ve monopolized this poor girl from the moment she entered, and there are two others to entertain. Let me take a turn and give her a break from your declarations of love.”

Both Warren and I blushed at that, but he didn’t deny it. He kissed my hand and obeyed his mother with obvious reluctance. She shook her head and gave me an indulgent smile as she linked arms with me.

“I apologize if he comes on strong,” she said.

“Not at all, Mistress Doyle,” I replied, even though it was exactly what I’d told him the night of the gala. “He’s very charming.”

“You must call me Viola. And thank you. He is charming, not that you’d know it from the scattered way he’s conducted this courtship!” We strolled back out to the main party in the drawing room, but she kept us far enough away to speak in private. “But you must understand that he’s been very anxious to wed. We had our sights set on one of the Glittering Court’s girls, but it was unclear if your ship would arrive in time.”

“When does he go to Hadisen?”

“In a little over a month.”

“That’s not a lot of time to contract a marriage.”

Viola gave me a knowing look. “Isn’t it? I hear one of you has already accepted an offer.” She smiled when I didn’t answer. “I understand your hesitation. It’s wise on your part. Marriage is binding—you want to ensure you’re making the right decision.”

“Exactly,” I said. A servant came by with champagne, but I shook my head. It was obvious both Warren and his mother had an agenda, and I didn’t want to get tipsy and accidentally agree to something. “And I’m very flattered by your son’s attentions. I just want to make sure this is good for him too—it seems like he would’ve arranged the marriage without ever meeting me.”

She gave a small laugh. “No, he’s not that far gone. If you’d seemed incompatible at your first meeting, he’d have resisted. And if I’d found anything amiss upon meeting you—I haven’t, by the way—I’d have made my objections clear.”

“Thank you.”

“But let’s be straightforward,” she continued. That apparently was a shared trait in the Doyle family. “Marriages are rarely made for love—though certainly, love can follow. Why, I’d barely laid eyes on Thaddeus before we wed. And I could scarcely believe my parents would arrange such a thing—me, a noblewoman, married to a barrister bound for the New World. But, you see, he was a rich barrister. And my family was out of money.”

“Ah,” I said neutrally. “That must have been very difficult.” I remembered suggesting a union with the nouveau riche to Grandmama on the day I’d met Lionel, ages ago. If she’d been more open to it, both of our lives would be very, very different now. “It was,” she admitted. “But I’ve done my best to bring what I could of that noble lifestyle here. Just because many here in the colonies have humble roots, just because our towns are still rough-and-tumble . . . well, it doesn’t mean we can’t aspire to the great legacy of our mother country. That sort of transformation is really what your Glittering Court is about, isn’t it?”

“I suppose so. Ced—Mister Cedric Thorn and his father call us the ‘new nobility.’”

“Quaint.” Her eyes fell upon Warren, who was chatting with Mira. She looked far more animated than I’d seen her around any other suitors, but Warren appeared distracted and kept glancing at us. Viola turned back to me. “I’m proud of what I’ve established here, and even though my husband is a good man, well . . . I can’t forget the great dignity of those ancient bloodlines of Osfrid. I’m glad I was able to pass on some of my exalted heritage to my son, even if my old title means little here. And I’d like to see my grandchildren carry on a similar legacy. That, of course, is where you come in, my dear.”

She looked at me expectantly, but I was thrown into complete confusion. “I beg your pardon?”

“My grandchildren, like my son, will become leaders in this land. Many—my husband included—will tell you hard work and character earn that position. And that is part of it. But blood is critical. And when you and Warren wed, I can rest easy that two noble bloodlines will be passed down to my descendants.”

A strange, chilled feeling began to spread through me. “I . . . I don’t know what you mean, Mistress Doyle.”

“I told you—you must call me Viola. No need for titles among us, not even a countess’s.”

The room threatened to close in on me, and I thought I might faint. Sternly, I steadied myself, taking a deep breath as I worked to reveal nothing on my face. I hadn’t come this far to let it all fall apart.

“I’m sorry—you must forgive me. I’m just not following this conversation.”

“You’re very good,” she said. “You give nothing away. No doubt you’ve had to become good in this past year in order to achieve what you have. I might have doubted myself, had I not so vividly remembered seeing young Lady Witmore, Countess of Rothford, at a party five years ago. Your parents had just passed, and Lady Alice Witmore was already perfectly aware her family’s fortunes were fading and that she’d have to secure a good marriage for you. You were too young at the time, but she was already at work. I recall thinking you were so lovely and that she’d have no difficulty in arranging things.” Viola paused meaningfully. “But when I saw you on the docks at your arrival, I realized I must have been wrong. You look very much like you did five years ago—more mature, of course. Very much a woman. Maybe even more beautiful.”

“Mistress Doyle,” I said stiffly, refusing to use her first name. “You have made some sort of error.”

She beckoned a servant to replace her champagne glass. “Or, is it possible you had a good match but didn’t want the man? I can certainly understand that.” Her eyes lingered briefly on the governor. “Whatever has led you here, I am glad. It was very adventurous of you, very risky, but as you can see, everything happens for a reason.”

I stared off at the room, buzzing with guests I barely took note of. I hadn’t expected this. I had nothing prepared. At last, conceding, I asked, “Does Warren know?”

“Of course. It’s why he’s so eager. Like me, he’d long dreamed of a worthy match. We’d assumed the Glittering Court, with its cheap imitations, was the best we could manage. I’ve met those girls in the past, you know. They do an admirable job, but their common roots often show. When I made inquiries about you that first week—and of course I did, after I recognized you—I learned how exemplary you were. Perfect in every exam they gave you, as though you’d been born to this.”

I dragged my gaze from the room and met her squarely in the eye. “Mistress Doyle, what is it you want from me?”

“You already know. I want you to marry my son. I want you both to be happy and have a long, prosperous life together governing Hadisen.” She paused again in that dramatic way of hers. “Even you can’t find fault with this. You obviously came here in search of an advantageous marriage. Can you honestly tell me there’s a better one available? One with such a future and a man who’s smitten with you—he is, you know, regardless of your title. And securing a marriage early would certainly benefit you. As an unwed woman—still legally bound to your grandmother—you could very well be taken back to Osfrid by some enterprising bounty hunter. Marriage binds you to your husband. It frees you.”

“Are you threatening me?” I asked.

“Lady Witmore,” she said softly, “I’m simply laying out the facts for you.”

Dinner was called, and I numbly took my place at the table. Viola, thankfully, was at the other end, but Warren sat right next to me, as happy as ever to see me. He chatted on about the great dreams he had for his colony and how he hoped to implement them. I nodded along, smiling appropriately as my own thoughts spun wildly.

After all the control I thought I’d seized in my life, I suddenly felt adrift—as helpless as the bobbing Gray Gull tossed on the storm. I felt alone and trapped, desperate for an ally. But Mira was seated far away, and Cedric . . . well, who knew where he was?

Back in Osfrid, at Blue Spring, discovery of my title would have been disastrous, almost certainly sending me back to Grandmama. Once I’d set foot in the New World, my security had increased exponentially. Even if I was recognized—and I’d never believed I would be—there was a whole ocean between me and Osfrid. For anyone to send word back and take action would be difficult and time-consuming, especially if I’d be engaged in the next few months.

Unless Viola was right. If someone forcefully tried to take me back now, hoping to gain a reward, I’d have no recourse. I’d be trapped on a ship for two months and promptly carted off to Osfro. Marriage made me independent—or, well, bound to someone else. Bound to someone I chose. At least, I thought I’d be able to choose.

Studying Warren now, I wondered if he was a bad choice. Before speaking to Viola, I hadn’t thought so. She was right that instantly falling in love with anyone was far-fetched. The smart thing to do was secure my future with someone wealthy and reasonably nice. Warren was both.

But I didn’t like being threatened. And I really didn’t know just how much damage that threat might cause.

“. . . and it helps that I’ve had so much guidance and experience under Father’s rule,” Warren was telling me. “I took part in some of the battles against the Icori savages. And even though they’re gone, there’s still work to be done in cleaning up Denham. Not just villains and highwaymen. There’s the pirates, of course. And there are heretics skulking around, you know. In fact . . .” He glanced at the clock. “We’re dealing with some very soon.”

I blinked, trying to clear my head and refocus on him. “What do you mean?”

“Today’s one of their dark holidays—the Alanzans, I mean. The demon worshippers. We’ve learned of where they’re meeting, and we plan on arresting them.”

He had me hanging on his every word now. “When?”

“We’ll leave in two hours or so, maybe less, depending on how long it takes us to group and plan our course. I’m afraid that means I’ll have to break from the party early,” he said apologetically. “But I feel it’s important I lead the charge—in light of both my current and future positions.”

Tomorrow is the Star Advent, Mira had told me yesterday morning.

Cedric can’t be here. He’s out with friends tonight, Jasper had said on the way here.

And I knew. I knew Cedric wasn’t out with friends, not exactly. He was out with other Alanzans, off celebrating this Star Advent in some grove or another. A grove that would very likely be raided by armed men. Desperately, I tried to keep my wits about me.

“This . . . this is so fascinating,” I told him. “But you must forgive me—I’m getting the most terrible headache. It’s hard to pay attention.”

Warren instantly turned solicitous. “Is there anything I can do?”

“No, no, thank you. I think the best thing is for me to go home and rest.” I forced a smile. “I guess we’ll both be leaving early.”

I found Jasper and told him my story. He wasn’t happy about my leaving, but Warren’s impending departure softened the disappointment. Jasper arranged for one of his men to escort me home in the carriage and then return to wait for the other girls. Clara was deep in conversation with a banker, and Jasper had no interest in pulling her and Mira home early for my convenience.

I thanked the Doyles for their hospitality, and Warren again regarded me with concern. Viola looked as though she knew exactly why I had a “headache,” but she offered nothing but polite smiles.

On my way out, I pulled Mira aside. “Are you okay?” she asked. “Do you want me to come home with you?”

I shook my head. “No, but I do need your help. Answer two questions for me.”

She looked me over curiously. “Yes?”

“Do you know where the Alanzans will meet tonight? For their Star Advent?”

Mira stayed silent for several moments. “What’s your other question?”

“I need to know how you get in and out of the house undetected.”

“Those are big questions,” she said.

“And I wouldn’t be asking them without a good reason,” I returned, echoing what she’d said about her nightly escapes.

At last, she sighed. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“You know I won’t.”

“Of course not,” she said, giving me a weary smile. “I shouldn’t have suggested it.”

She told me what I wanted to know, and I thanked her with a hug. Jasper’s driver called for me, and I hurried off with him into the night—off to save Cedric.