Midnight Jewel (The Glittering Court #2)(52)

I kept the smile plastered on my face and thought back to him saying his father had arrived here forty years ago. “That’s so kind of you. And how fascinating that he’s traveled so much. Was your father a, uh, child when he came to Adoria?”

“In his twenties. But he went back across the Sunset Sea a number of times. He’s a very cultured man.”

And an old man, I thought, doing the math. At least sixty.

“Yes,” said Cornelius, who seemed to guess what I was thinking, “there’d be an age difference, but as I said, marrying into our family would give you every luxury you’ve ever desired. And my father shares my views on the future of this land. No outdated prejudice in our home. We won’t allow any slight to fall your way. All that matters is what a wise and enterprising girl you are—and a beautiful one.”

“I honestly don’t know what to say.”

“At least tell me you’ll meet him,” Cornelius pushed. “Add one of our parties to your schedule and talk to him. If it doesn’t work out, then that’s all there is to it, and you’ll be off to some other lavish offer.”

His face was so earnest, his eyes so big that I couldn’t deny him. “I’d love to meet your father,” I said.

He spent the rest of our dance lauding his father and their family’s virtues, right up until the moment Aiana sent me on to the next man. By this point, I was exhausted with conversation.

“Did I see you dancing with Cornelius Chambers?” he asked. This new partner also had a colonial accent, stronger and less refined than Cornelius’s. “He’s a good pal of mine.”

“He seems very nice,” I said automatically. “I think I’ll be attending a party at his home at some point.”

“I’ll be attending one there tonight.” His expression turned sly. “But it’ll probably be a lot different than the one you’ll go to.”

“How so, Mister— I’m so sorry. I missed your name.” I’d been too distracted when Aiana introduced us.

“Miller. Abraham Miller. Cornelius hosts the best poker games in this colony. Maybe any colony. A bunch of us are heading way out to his place as soon as this lets out. Should be fun. We’ll have a lot to talk about after this, and maybe I’ll make some coin on the side.”

Abraham Miller.

I knew that name. I’d heard it just a few nights ago when I’d told Silas and Grant about Theodore Craft. Abraham Miller worked in the port’s customs office and was suspected of forging ship manifests for the conspirators. And find out if Abraham Miller was the customs inspector on duty. We really need to search his place one of these days, if we can ever get a safe chance.

“I wish you good luck then, Mister Miller,” I said. “Isn’t the Chambers plantation well outside of town? Seems like you’ll have a late night.”

His lips flattened into a straight line. “Yes, that’s the one downside about his games. Takes over an hour to get there, even by horse. Their family used to keep a town house here in the city but sold it over the winter. No idea why.”

When that dance ended, Aiana told me I could have a short break. As we walked toward the dais, I whispered, “I have some information that Grant might want. Do you think you could get a message to him tonight?”

She turned, puzzled. “I thought you were done with all of that.”

“Why?”

“Because I spoke to Silas the other day. He told me about your trip to see him.” She didn’t elaborate on my illicit excursion, but her expression conveyed exactly what she thought of it. “He also said it was a bad idea having you involved and that you’d been cut out.”

“He changed his mind. I think Grant talked him around.” I hoped she wouldn’t read the lie in me, that Grant simply hadn’t followed Silas’s instructions.

“I wish he hadn’t.” Her frown deepened. “I can’t get anything to Grant tonight—not with all of this going on—but I’ll take a message in the morning.”

“But—”

“It can wait, Mira. And you’ll wait too. No more sneaking out. It’s my job to protect you, even if it’s from yourself.”

I didn’t argue, not with that steel in her voice, but I couldn’t let the matter go so easily. She was wrong. My news couldn’t wait until morning, not when I knew for sure Abraham Miller would be away tonight. But how could I get it to Grant any sooner?

Adelaide was on break too. I sat beside her, glad to rest my ankle. We recapped our nights and then fell into weary silence, simply content to watch the buzzing crowd. The Glittering Court might be the most dazzling guests here, but plenty of Cape Triumph’s leading citizens drew the eye in their own elaborately embellished and colored finery. They made a fascinating display as they moved about the room in dances and conversations, and I took a moment to appreciate what a truly incredible world I’d somehow ended up in. Then, amidst all that brightness, I caught sight of a dark spot. A laborer, stooped and clad in a dull, oversized coat, was pushing chairs out through the back door we’d used for our entrance. I couldn’t believe it.

“What is it?” asked Adelaide, seeing me stand up.

“I . . . it’s nothing. But I need . . . I need to check something. I’ll be right back.”