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 th
oughts 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.
Chapter 16
Most of the girls were still out when I returned to the house. Upon hearing my headache story, Mistress Culpepper immediately sniffed my face to make sure I hadn’t been overindulging in any spirits. When she was finally satisfied with my excuse, she sent me off to my room.
As I shut my bedroom door, I experienced a weird feeling of déjà vu, recalling how I’d used another fake headache back in Osfro to win myself some privacy. It felt like a lifetime ago. I immediately stripped out of my elaborate lace party gown and began searching for the most practical thing I owned. There wasn’t a lot. Most of our wardrobe was geared toward maintaining our grandiose image. Even our casual attire was embellished and rich. I finally found one of the day dresses I’d worn on board the ship, a simple one of pale pink lawn, scattered with white flowers. A light cloak and sensible shoes were the only other things I’d need in our warming spring weather. To make my escape, however, I put a large woolen night robe over it all.
Creeping down the hall, I peered in each direction before making a sharp right turn at the hall’s end. There, just as Mira had said, was a door that led to a small staircase and a landing used for storage by the household staff. One flight below led to a hall behind the kitchen. One flight above provided access to the attic. I ascended quickly and came up under one of the roof’s gables. In front of me was a window with a sliding panel that overlooked the house’s back grounds.
I left the robe on the floor. That had been Mira’s suggestion. “Wear the robe over your clothes going in and out. Then if you’re spotted in the hall, it just looks like you got out of bed. A lot easier to explain that than why you’re walking around in regular clothes in the middle of the night.”
Outside the attic window was a trellis that more wisteria had climbed. Staring down, I reminded myself of how I’d successfully climbed the captain’s shelves on a rocking ship. Of course, the distance hadn’t been nearly so high, and I’d had Cedric to catch me.
Cedric. He was the reason I had to do this.
I swung out of the window and grabbed hold of the wooden slats. Mira had assured me the structure could hold my weight, and as I painstakingly inched my way down three floors, I saw she was right. The trellis stayed steady. I exhaled in relief when my foot touched the ground and allowed myself only a moment’s rest before I headed across the property. As I did, I couldn’t help but give a rueful head shake. If there was a secret way out of the house, of course Mira would be the one to find it.
A bright quarter moon and stars shone in the clear sky above as I moved at a steady jog. Warren’s words rang in my head about how he was leaving soon to assemble his men. I had to hope there’d been some delay while they organized themselves in town, but they’d most certainly make that up if they traveled on horseback. Mira had been adamant about where the Alanzans in Cape Triumph would meet tonight. I only needed to follow her directions.
It didn’t take long to reach a wooded area she’d described to the north. Whereas Blue Spring had acres and acres of manicured grounds, Wisteria Hollow
’s were almost immediately reclaimed by the wilderness. Little had been cleared, and there was no obvious path. Only the position of the moon let me know I was still going in the right direction. It was rough terrain, and I stumbled on fallen logs and branches, my skirt snagging on brush and other obstacles. It was a good thing these ship dresses were almost never worn anymore, because I’d have a lot of explaining to do if it was scrutinized.
I reached a highway of packed earth that was supposed to lead to a fork. Although uneven in places, the road made for much easier traveling, and I picked up my pace. But as more and more time passed and no fork appeared, I began to wonder if I’d misheard the directions. And where were Warren and his men? How much time had passed? Surely it was getting close to the two-hour mark. For all I knew, I’d show up just as Warren’s men swooped down on Cedric. Or maybe they’d already arrived.
No, I told myself sternly. That’s not an option. I haven’t gone to all this trouble to save him from persecution just to see him caught right in the open.
The fork appeared at last, and I left the road as directed. I found a steep slope with a valley below and, eventually, an oak grove. At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d locate the Alanzans. As I approached, I could soon discern the glow of tiny lanterns, just like the ones Cedric had used at Midwinter. I picked up my pace, moving at a jog across the open area of the valley, feeling conspicuous in the moonlight.
But no one called out to me, and when I reached the oaks, I could see the dark shapes of the Alanzans in a circle around the lanterns’ diamond configuration. They seemed to be saying some sort of prayer in old Ruvan. I’d learned the language from an old governess. Most of the words seemed to be about stars and light and reconciliation, but the setting gave it a sinister edge. That old fear came back to me, bringing up all the stories I’d heard from priests and gossips. It was nearly enough to make me turn around and leave them to their fate.
But I knew Cedric stood among them somewhere, even if I couldn’t pick him out in the silhouettes. I hoped there might be a natural break in their invocation, but it just kept going on. With time ticking, there could be no graceful way to get their attention.