Page 22 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
Anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly schooled her expression back to one of nonchalance. “Oh, no, it’s my fault. I should have checked with you.”
“Perhaps so. The invitation I saw was only addressed to me, after all.” I turned back around and caught Lady Vivian’s eye.
Her lips quirked into the tiniest of smiles.
Lady Georgina cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m afraid I wasn’t expecting you, Sophia. The only RSVP I had from House Vermillion was from Lady Alicia.”
Sophia clenched her jaw.
Barney the errand boy was getting a bonus later.
“She’s here now,” I said soothingly. “Is there no way we can squeeze her in at the table, Lady Georgina? Perhaps, if Lady Sasha doesn’t mind, we can both move up a bit so Sophia can fit on her other side.”
My placement of that was deliberate. We were sitting in order of our societal rank, and as House Vermillion was more powerful than House Ambrose, it was a major slight for me to have my sister sit after Lady Sasha.
Lady Sasha shook her head. “I don’t mind at all. Like you said, Lady Alicia, she’s come all the way here.”
“Very well. Higgins, would you fetch us another chair for Lady Sophia, please?” Lady Georgina asked, then turned to one of the maids who was waiting on us. “Beth, set another space.”
Lady Sasha and I scooted up while Sophia’s place was set, and she took her seat. I could practically feel the anger vibrating off her. I felt sorry for Lady Sasha and Lady Elisa who had to sit next to her while she was in such a state.
I knew just how venomous her anger could be. No doubt she would stew in it through the entire tea party and let it out on me later.
Or attempt to, rather.
The soul who occupied this body before me may have taken her shit, but I wasn’t about to.
I’d dealt with far bigger fish than her in my previous life.
“As I was telling the ladies just before you arrived, Lady Sophia, this tea is a special blend made with a rose that only grows in the Stein Mountains,” Lady Georgina said. “I do hope it’s to your taste.” She smiled at her, but there was a tightness to it.
Hee hee hee.
She was irritated by the uninvited guest and would likely never invite her to a gathering after this. Neither would anyone else here.
Score one for Allie!
“Thank you,” Sophia said sweetly. “I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. I did send an RSVP in place of my sister, so I’m not sure why it didn’t make it here.”
“Things do get lost in the mail, although I’m not sure why you’d send one in Lady Alicia’s place when it’s quite clear she’s capable of attending,” Lady Blair said, sipping her tea. “This tea is lovely, Lady Georgina. Do you know if it’s available for purchase anywhere?”
“I’ll have to ask my father to find out and let you know.” Lady Georgina’s bright smile was back, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the compliment on the tea or the subtle dig at Sophia. “Oh, Lady Sasha, is it true that your father was approached by Count Rothman regarding a marriage to Lord Gerald?”
Lady Sasha nodded gracefully. “Fortunately, Father is discussing each offer with me before he responds, and I requested that he reject the proposal.”
“Indeed, that’s a good choice,” Lady Vivian replied. “Lord Gerald is quite the rake. He was recently at the Magic Tower flirting with one of my colleagues. Miss Polly sent him away with a suspicious unidentified rash on his person when he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
I fought back a smile.
Miss Polly, whoever she was, sounded like a hoot.
“Speaking of the Tower,” Lady Blair said with a sly smile. “Have you and Lord Ivan set a date yet?”
A shy look crossed Lady Vivian’s face, and her cheeks darkened ever so slightly. “The wedding will be this autumn.”
Lady Georgina sighed. “How lucky you are to marry someone you love.”
“I think it’s more that I’m lucky to have fallen for a man my family deems suitable,” Lady Vivian replied. “Oh, Lady Elisa, are you familiar with the Magic Tower?”
