“I’d hope there isn’t any way to say that that’s easy.”
“No, there isn’t.”
We fell into silence and let the music and the hum of conversation surround us, our eyes locked on each other as we glided through the room. I had the overwhelming urge to rest my head against him, but that wouldn’t really help maintain our disinterested cover. Also, that wasn’t an appropriate action in a waltz.
As the song wrapped up, Cedric lifted his eyes from my face. He’d been contemplative while watching me, but now his brow furrowed. “The governor-to-be has just spotted you. Let me get you over to Adelton for the next song. He’s on board with everything but wanted to ask you something first.”
Puzzled, I let Cedric lead me to Nicholas, just in time for the next song. Cedric was all politeness as he spoke to the attorney but cast me a lingering look as he walked away.
“I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch,” Nicholas told me as we moved into the new dance. His half-mask was a simple one of blue fabric. “My client is a cousin’s friend, and he’d been greatly wronged in a trade matter. I couldn’t abandon him.”
“I think it’s admirable,” I said truthfully.
“I can’t fight all the injustice in the world, but I try to do what little I can. But enough business.” He smiled down at me. “Mister Thorn has explained to me there’s, ah, some urgency in what we have planned and that we’d have to manage a few tricks to make a wedding happen in time. We should be able to pull it off, but first I need to know . . .” His expression turned uncertain. “Are you sure you’re willing? I don’t want you rushed into this. I don’t want you doing something you’re not absolutely sure about. You should choose who you want.”
I felt a pang in my heart, not only because of his consideration but also because of the truth it skirted around. Who did I want to choose? Cedric, of course. But he couldn’t afford even the stake that would keep him alive, let alone my price. Anything else would be a breach of contract and create a great deal of scandal.
You could do a lot worse than Nicholas Adelton, I told myself. Even if it means becoming Adelaide Adelton.
Viola, across the room, caught my eye just then. It only strengthened my resolve, and I turned back to Nicholas. I pushed away my heartache, trying to ignore the way every part of my being cried out for Cedric. “Yes,” I said to Nicholas. “I’m certain. If Mister Thorn can take care of the technicalities, I want to do it. And he will. He always does what he says he will.”
I finished the dance with a heavy heart and expected my next one to be with Warren. Instead, it was Viola who swept me to the side of the room. “Adelaide, dear, I feel like we haven’t spoken in ages.”
That was true. While I’d dutifully spent time with Warren, I’d gone out of my way to avoid her.
“It’s been a very busy time,” I said.
She smiled, her lips thin and tight like a snake’s. “Yes, I’m sure. But a pleasant time, no doubt. Warren can’t stop talking about how much he’s enjoyed your company. I’m sure the feeling is mutual.”
“He’s every girl’s dream.”
“Indeed. And yet, he remains unwed. Not even promised. You can imagine how distressing this is to me, especially with his departure for Hadisen coming so soon.” She sighed dramatically. “I’d feel so much better if everything was settled. I hate loose ends, don’t you? I hear Silas Garrett does as well. His partner is en route to Cape Triumph. Should be here any day.”
I kept a frozen smile on my face as I scrutinized her. Was she bluffing? Hard to say. “I’m sure it’ll be a great relief to them to figure things out once and for all.”
“And I’m sure it’ll be a great relief to you to no longer worry about what they do or do not figure out.” When I didn’t answer, her sickeningly sweet expression dissolved. “Stop delaying. You can do no better. You’d be in no danger of returning to Osfrid. Do this, and make everyone’s life easier—because I assure you, dear, I can make yours much more difficult.”
Warren came up to us just then. “Mother, I didn’t expect you of all people to steal Adelaide away.”
Viola’s smile turned beatific. “Well, we didn’t want to bore you with details . . . you know, the sorts of details that really only matter to women when nuptials are involved.”
He looked between us both incredulously. “Nuptials . . . you don’t mean . . .”
“I think our dear Adelaide has stopped teasing us at last,” said Viola.
“Is this true?” Warren caught hold of my hands. “You’ve accepted? We should announce it right now! It’s the perfect night.”
That anxious tightness in my chest returned, and I had to remind myself to breathe. “No—no. No announcements tonight. I mean, your mother and I have been speaking informally, but nothing can go forward . . .” I trailed off, staring across the room to where I could see Cedric speaking impassionedly to Nicholas. Nicholas was beaming, so I hoped that was promising news. “Nothing can go forward until all the details are drawn up with the Thorns. The marriage price, contracts . . . it wouldn’t be proper to announce before the rest is official. I wouldn’t feel right about it.”
Viola’s eyes narrowed, and Warren looked a little crestfallen but not too terribly put out. Meanwhile, my thoughts were racing. What would this do for me? How much time would it buy? No doubt the Doyles would be knocking on our door tomorrow to settle the deal. Could I put it off perhaps another day? Maybe even two? Cedric and Nicholas had become lost among the revelers, so I had no idea how that plan was developing. What had I just unofficially agreed to?