Page 58 of Waking Roslyn

She nodded. “You’re right. Surely Edmund will understand that I could not reject such an invitation.”

I certainly hoped so, but after we had completed our shopping and returned to Bridgefield, I was just climbing the stairs to my room when Edmund’s terse voice drifted up from the drawing room below.

I sighed and lowered myself to sit on the stairs so that I could listen without being seen.

“You agreed,” Edmund started in a slow, deliberate cadence, “to have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Sutton?”

“Yes. She was very kind to invite us,” Lisette said in a falsely bright voice.

“Yes, I’m sure. Very kind.” His footsteps clipped across the wood floor as he came out into the corridor.

“So then…will you accompany me?” I’d rarely heard Lisette sound so uncertain.

“Yes. Fine. Whatever you wish.”

“Do you not wish to attend?”

“Of course I don’t. I recall specifically asking you not to go visit Her Highness.”

“I didn’t visit her.” I was impressed by how calm Lisette was. “I happened to meet her at the market. She was very kind, and when she asked us to join her, I could think of no reason to refuse. Should I have refused?”

He grumbled a sigh. “Of course not.”

I stood just enough that I could look over the banister and see their interactions.

“Shall I go by myself?” Lisette’s hands wound together in front of her. “Rose will accompany me, of course.”

“I shall attend,” Edmund said.

“I’d be happy to give your excuses if you would rather—”

“I shall attend,” he said with finality.

Lisette looked hurt and confused, but finally she just nodded. “We leave at a quarter to five.”

“Very well” was his only response before walking away toward his study.

Lisette stared after Edmund for several tense moments before taking a shaky little breath and crossing to the stairs. As she started to climb, she saw me there, waiting for her in the middle. I gave her a commiserating look.

She frowned. “I truly don’t understand him sometimes,” she said.

When she reached the step I stood on, I took her arm and we climbed the rest of the way together.

***

Everly poked, prodded, and adjusted my hair for what felt like the hundredth time. “It’s lovely,” I assured her, hoping that she would declare me finished so that I could go downstairs. My hair was done up in loops and braids, dotted with pearls.

She kept poking and inspecting. “We must be sure that it’s perfect. You’ll want to look your very best for Her Highness, I’m sure.”

My mouth pulled into a frown. “I’m certain that if my appearance is good enough for Lady Rockwell, who will one day be the sovereign duchess of this land, then it will be more than good enough for a foreign princess.” My tone was probably more severe than it should have been.

It struck me as odd that the servants here revered Princess Marilee more than they did Lisette. And if I were honest, I was a bit sore over it. Lisette was not just the mistress of this house, she was kind and gracious, and it hurt me to think that this princess, regardless of how lovely she might be, had usurped the position of admiration and respect that I believed my cousin deserved.

Everly finally took the hint and backed away. “Of course, miss. You look lovely.”

I smoothed the fabric of my wine-red skirts and descended the stairs, expecting to find both Edmund and Lisette ready and waiting for me since my maid had taken so long on my hair. However, when I reached the drawing room, it was only Edmund who stood waiting by the shelf of spirits. He was sloshing liquid into a goblet and did not look happy.

I made a little noise in my throat to alert him to my presence, then said, “Good evening, Edmund.”