The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1)(14)

“Sir?” prompted the guard.

The world seemed to move in slow motion, and all I could hear for several moments was the hammering of my own heart. I was reminded of that precipice again, only now I was losing my footing. All it would take was one word from Cedric, one word to get me hauled back to my grandmother and Lionel. I didn’t doubt Cedric was clever enough to spin the situation to make himself sound innocent. And for all I knew, Cedric might think collecting a reward now was easier than earning a commission in Adoria.

Cedric took a deep breath, and as if putting on a mask, he became the swaggering young man from before. “I saw Lord John Branson,” he said. He nodded toward me. “She was mending some fine lady’s clothes at his house when I retrieved her, though. Does that count?”

“This is hardly a joking matter,” snapped the guard. But I could tell he was already losing interest in us, ready to move on. There were probably a lot of travelers trying to leave before curfew, and they didn’t want to be delayed by one unlikely carriage. A runaway noblewoman would be skulking out, not sitting with reputable businessmen.

“You can go,” said the other guard. “Thank you for your time.”

Cedric, still putting on a good face, smiled back. “Not a problem. I hope you find her.”

The door closed, and the carriage started forward, finally moving at a steady pace now that we’d cleared the stops and starts of the city. I exhaled, all the tension melting out of me as I sank into the seat. I dared a brief glance at Cedric but couldn’t read his expression or intentions. All I could hope was that maybe, finally, I’d be free.





Chapter 4


The journey took all night, and I drifted in and out of sleep. My body wanted rest, but my mind was too keyed up, fearful I’d hear horses and angry shouts behind us. But the night passed uneventfully, the rocking of the carriage lulling me into more of a calm daze than a true sleep. I came fully awake when I heard Jasper say, “Ah, here we are.” The carriage’s steady gait began to slow, and I lifted my head, startled and embarrassed to realize I’d been resting it on Cedric’s shoulder. His cologne smelled like vetiver.

My companions’ reactions were mixed. Tamsin’s face was eager, ready to take on this new adventure and seize what she saw as her destiny. Mira was more apprehensive, wearing the expression of one who had seen much and knew better than to trust initial appearances.

Jasper helped each of us out of the carriage, and as I waited my turn, I had a momentary flash of panic at what I might find. I’d gone to a great deal of trouble last night, striving for a destination grounded more in my own fantasies than any fact. Cedric had wooed me with his pitch to Ada, but there was a very real chance I was about to walk into a situation far worse than a life of barley with Lionel. I could be walking into a life of sordidness and danger.

Jasper took my hand, and I got my first good look at Blue Spring Manor. To my immediate relief, it looked neither sordid nor dangerous on the outside. Blue Spring Manor was a country estate, set out among the moors with no village or other community in sight. No one searching for me would casually pass by. It wasn’t quite as big as some of my family’s former holdings, but it was still old and impressive. The morning sun rose just beyond its roof, illuminating Tamsin and Mira’s awestruck faces.

A middle-aged woman dressed all in black met us at the door. “Well, here they are, the last of them. I was worried they weren’t going to show.”

“We had a few delays,” Jasper explained, glancing at Mira. “And some surprises.”

“I’m sure they’ll settle in soon enough.” The woman turned to us with a stern expression. “I’m Mistress Masterson. I run the house and will manage your day-to-day affairs. I’ll also be in charge of teaching you etiquette—which I expect you to excel in. We’ve got one room left that’ll hold the three of you nicely. You can put your things away and then join the other girls for breakfast. They’ve just sat down.”

She asked the Thorns if they wanted breakfast as well, but I barely heard their response. I was too busy processing Mistress Masterson’s comment about the three of us sharing a room. I’d never shared a room with anyone in my life. No—I’d never shared my rooms with anyone. No matter which residence my family had stayed in, I’d had a suite to myself. At most, I’d had a maid sleeping outside the door or in an antechamber to answer my summons.

Cedric gave me a sharp look, and I wondered if perhaps my astonishment showed on my face. I quickly schooled my expression to neutrality and followed Mistress Masterson inside. She led us up a winding staircase that I had to admit was elegant. Bright paintings lined the house’s walls—some portraits of Thorn family members, and others hung simply for their beauty. I recognized a few of the artists and nearly slowed to study them in more detail before remembering I needed to keep up.

The room Mistress Masterson took us to was decently appointed, with lacy curtains framing a window that looked down on the manor’s grounds. The room also held three claw-foot beds with matching dressers—but didn’t seem nearly big enough for any of that, let alone three occupants. Tamsin and Mira’s wide eyes suggested otherwise.

“It’s so bloody big,” exclaimed Tamsin.

“Language, please.” Mistress Masterson’s prim face softened a little as she looked us over. “You’ll soon get used to it, and if you’re lucky and study hard, you’ll likely have a room this size all to yourself when you marry in the New World.”