Page 16 of The Beautiful Ones

Cécile looked down.

“The arrangements were never withdrawn.”

Why not?

“Because people would talk.”

That earned me the smallest, bitter curve of her mouth.

We both knew people talked anyway.

Who are the Fairhavens?

“I don’t know.”

Cécile looked up.

“I heard only their name. Your parents spoke as though Commander Vale knew them well enough to recommend them as guests.”

Her brow tightened.

You never heard Nathaniel mention anyone by that name?

She shook her head.

He told me about everyone.

“Perhaps he met them later.”

She did not look convinced.

Papa is afraid.

I remembered Monsieur’s pale face and the careless statement he had made.

“Yes.”

Her eyes rose to mine.

“He is.”

Why?

“I do not know.”

That much, at least, was true.

Did Nathaniel write the letter?

“I believe so.”

Is he alive?

I took longer to answer.

“I don’t know.”

Her hope faded.