Page 27 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then we have a problem.” I waited until he looked up and met his gaze. “You see, I don’t like it when people waste my time. Even if you waste my maid’s time, you’re wasting my time.”
He smiled widely, shrugging with his hands held out as if it wasn’t his problem. “My lady, do remember this: I told you the first time you came here that not just anyone can see my master.”
“Do I look like just anyone to you, Mister Jinx? The last time I checked, the eldest daughter of House Vermillion, the empire’s first sword, was notjust anyone.”
He stilled at the bite in my tone.
“When I ask for a meeting, I expect it to be granted. That said, I know that your master is a very busy man, so I’ll be gracious.” I walked over to him and loomed over him, folding my arms across my chest. “I expect to hear a positive response from him within the next three days, by the end of the spring ball.”
Jinx held up his hands again, shrinking back from me as far as the sofa cushions would allow. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to pay him a visit at home.”
“I cannot give you his address, my lady.”
“You don’t need to.” I held Jinx’s gaze. “Or perhaps I should invite my new friend, Lady Georgina Alansia, to my residence for tea so we can get to know each other better after her tea party this morning. On the other hand, I am a lady of marriageable age, and Duke Alansia has two sons in need of a wife, does he not?”
Jinx swallowed, panic flashing in his eyes. “My la—”
“My father would consider either of the Alansia sons a most excellent match for me. Perhaps I should request that my father arrange a meeting with His Grace to discuss an arrangement between me and his eldest son. After all, I amveryinterested in learning more about the future duke’s business dealings, if you catch my drift.”
Jinx leant back so far that he almost melded into the sofa cushions. “All right, all right. I get the feeling you aren’t bluffing here, my lady.” He sighed, running his hand through his slicked-back blonde hair. “I’ll make sure he gets the message.”
I straightened and took a step back. “Three days. If I don’t hear anything by the time I leave the spring ball, I will ask my father to contact Duke Alansia. Withhaste.”
“I’ll tell the master, don’t worry.”
“Oh, and you should also let him know this.” I pulled up my hood and paused at the entry to the passage. “If he’s going to keep me waiting until the last minute, he should be aware that I only expect to be at the ball for an hour.”
Jinx sighed wearily. “Yes, my lady.”
I smiled. “Good day, Mister Jinx. I look forward to hearing from your master.”
Chapter Six
Don’t Play the Player
The screeching noise emanating from my stepmother as I walked through the door was something that wouldn’t be out of place in an alleyway full of cats.
“Madam, please calm down.” Caldwell’s voice somehow echoed through the hall. “The young miss isn’t here.”
“Where is she, Caldwell? Find her! She cannot treat my daughter that way!”
“Bella, fetch Father,” I said to her, giving her a gentle shove in the direction of his office. “Go quickly and tell him it’s extremely urgent.”
She bowed her head and darted off in the direction of his office.
“Goodness,” I said, approaching the sitting room. “Mother, whatever is the matter?”
My stepmother snapped her dark gaze onto me. She was Sophia’s double—or she would be if my sister had any real sex appeal to speak of. My stepmother was the kind of woman who could wrap a man around her finger in less than five minutes with little more than a look, and even around women, her presence was overwhelming.
Whether it was a good overwhelming or a bad overwhelming was up for debate, depending on your preference.
“How dare you!” My stepmother approached me with her closed fan pointed in my direction. “How dare you humiliate Sophia like that! Look at her!”
I peered around her to where Sophia was sobbing dramatically on the sofa.Good effort, sis.“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
