I set my cup aside and took his hands, his calluses like sandpaper beneath my fingertips. “Thank you, Padraig. For this and for all you’ve done for Keelynn and me. If there is any way I can repay you, all you have to do is ask.”
“‘Tis my pleasure, milady.” He patted my knuckles with dry, cracked palms. “Best be off with ye now. Ye have a big weekend ahead.”
Oh. I had completely forgotten about the ball.
How was I supposed to smile and laugh and dance and feign happiness knowing my stupidity had sent an innocent man to his death?
I thanked Padraig again and ran for the house, through the gardens and into the back parlor.
The servants readying the entry hall for tomorrow night’s festivities watched me as I flew past, up the stairs and down the hallway to my door.
On the center of my bed sat a large box wrapped in silver paper with a beautiful blue bow.
Rían had come through for me.
But at what cost?
9
You can do this.
Youcando this.
Those words became my mantra as I sat at my dressing table, staring at my reflection. If Rían showed tonight, I wasn’t going to let him walk all over me. I would speak my mind. It wasn’t like he would try anything with so many witnesses. And if he threatened me or my sister again, Padraig said he’d report him straight to the Danú leader in Tearmann.
I wasn’t sure what their leader could do to a prince. Hopefully it wouldn’t come down to that and I’d never have to find out.
Our ladies’ maid Sylvia gathered my golden curls at the top of my head, jamming in pin after pin after—ow owow—pin. Her own dark hair had been hidden beneath a white mop cap.
If I had my way, I’d leave my hair down. But like everything else in my life, it wasn’t up to me. According to Father, respectable ladies who were on the verge of matrimony wore their hairup.
I pulled a few curls free to frame my face. A small act of defiance.
The door to my room flew open, cracking against the wall. My sister stalked through, headed straight for the closet. As if any of my dresses would fit her tall, willowy frame.My skirts wouldn’t even reach her ankles.
“I have nothing to wear.” Keelynn sifted through the garments hanging inside. “The red dress looks awful, the purple one makes me look like a bloody grape, and the green one is too tight. I should’ve skipped lunch.”
The idea of skipping a meal to fit into a dress made about as much sense to me as Rían’s lies.
“Sylvia? Would you mind giving us a moment alone, please?”
The maid bobbed a quick curtsy and slipped out the door.
“You’re lucky you have such a brilliant sister,” I told Keelynn, collecting the box hidden beneath my bed.
“You didn’t . . .” She rushed over, found the corner of the bow, and tugged. The wrapping paper ended up in a ball in front of the fireplace. “You did!” she squealed, clutching the magenta gown against her chest. “Oh, Aveen! It’s stunning.” She smoothed a hand down the jeweled bodice to the silk ribbon at the waist. “Thank you, thank you,thank you!” Her arms came around my shoulders, knocking me into the chair. “You are the best sister. I mean that. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She smelled of lavender and sunshine. Youth and happiness. Love and loyalty.
“I could hardly let you attend your own party wearing one of yourold rags.” That’s what she called all the dresses she’d worn once—maybetwice.
“You know me so well.” Keelynn brought her dress to the full-length mirror in the corner. “Did you get one for yourself?” she asked, holding the garment in place and swaying from side to side, fluttering the dyed feathers along the skirt.No one would be able to take their eyes off of her tonight.
I glared toward my closet, stuffed with enough gowns and cloaks and random bits to last a lifetime. “Why do I need a new one when I have plenty of dresses?”
“Because new dresses are fabulous!” She spun in a circle, loose waves lifting from her slim shoulders. “Which one are you wearing tonight?”
“The blue one.”