Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Papa—”
“Tell her not to worry. I shall make it back before the ball.”
“Papa!” I said firmly, causing him to look at me.
“Not now, my dear. I must go.” The expression on his face left no room for disagreement, so I nodded, watching him leave.
I very much disliked all of this.
This was my life.
And since they would not allow me to participate in the conversation, I would have to take control of the situation…or at the very least try. I did not want to lose any more chances. I no longer wished to wait for…for others to decide what they believed was best for me.
Tonight, I would not just be silent and wait, I would act.
15
Evander
There was no place I detested more than a ball—actually, that was not true. I loathed being in the presence of my late father, Datura, and her offspring more, but balls were a close second, as they were filled with mothers desperately searching to find a match for their daughters. They paraded their daughters before me, and their daughters were all too willing, thinking me senseless enough to fall for their charms and antics of fainting on cue, fortuitously bumping into me, or dropping their fan or napkin before me. Even the fathers partook in the sport, though not so heavy-handedly. Their method was to categorize this whole ordeal as a business prospect. Take my daughter, and in exchange, you shall get this much dowry or access to this bank, or inherit this much land. It was all quite revolting, that they could sell off their daughters or believe me so avaricious and craven as to accept such offers. Balls were nothing but a façade created for the sole purpose of marrying and marrying well.
But such was society, and society had to go on. Thus, the balls had to go on, and I needed to do my part. This was complicated because I was here to seek a match for my sister. I glanced over at her as she hummed to herself, watching everyone else dance.
“You do not wish to accept a partner?” I asked, for she had refused two already.
“I do not like anyone here,” she whispered.
“How do you know when you have not spoken to anyone?” I questioned.
“The same way you know there is no other person for you but Aphrodite,” she teased, smiling at me slightly. “Just like you, I will know instantly when I have met my match.”
That was not true, though she did not know, nor could she ever, that I had spent time searching—well, not so much searching but exploring females—before Godmother came with her letter.
“At this rate, you will not find anyone this season. Is that your wish?” I whispered. “If you do find one who catches your eye, I shall do my best to make it possible for you, Verity, should they be appropriate, of course.”
“I did not come here for my season but yours,” she replied, lifting her wine to her lips.
“Mine?”
“Surely you have seen all my efforts?” She leaned in closer. “I heard that Aphrodite was returning this season and, thus, pressed you to come immediately. Otherwise I am sure you might have delayed longer.”
I stared at her, not altogether surprised, as I had seen her antics before. “How on earth did you hear talk from London while we were in Everely?”
She grinned and did not reply.
Devious indeed.
“Do remember to save this skill when you begin entrapping your husband.”
“I shall.” She huffed, not at all denying the effort to entrap a husband, as I thought she would. “Though I must confess I have given no thought to such as my biggest worry is for you.”
“Me? In what way?”
“Whether you will be able to let me go.” She lifted her head. “It has always been just you and me. And as I brace myself to share you with someone else, you will need to do the same. But I do not believe you easily capable of such. It might break your heart should I move far away, somewhere not under your protection.”
The words alone broke my heart. She was right, and I did not wish to ever have her not at my side. And that brought to mind my conversation with Aphrodite’s father. I could see he was torn, which eased my frustration or even sadness. Just as balls had to go on, fathers had to part with their daughters.
“And now I shall stop speaking, as your match has arrived.” She giggled, stepping away from me.
Immediately, I turned to the door to watch Aphrodite as I always watched her, like the divine. How was it possible that every color was meant only for her? That anything that looked ridiculous on another became magnificent on her. She was the crown jewel of the ton—the most perfect of all jewels. It was her face that, in public, never frowned nor smiled but remained in a constant state of serenity. It was her walk that looked fit for the clouds of heaven. Every time she entered a room, all eyes turned to her because she looked as though she did not belong in this world.