Page 30 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

I briefly closed my eyes, trying to dispel the visions of my father striding through the doors, a riding crop in his hand, a smile on his face. I saw his broad shoulders, his sandy hair and brown eyes, could almost feel the tickle of his beard against my cheek.

I stood for a second with my hand on the door to the drawing room, and then I opened it.

The author of my etiquette book would be gravely disappointed in me; I was the last to arrive. The other guests were gathered around the fireplace, the butler serving drinks from a silver tray.

Conversation ceased and all eyes turned towards me, some filled with curiosity, some with dislike, and at least one pair with stunned pleasure. I was sure then that Lord Wynter knew precisely what he was doing. The sapphires, a chill weight at my neck and in my ears, felt like armour. I could see each person taking my measure, and I stood, cool and straight, as if I were unaware of their attention.

“My god!” Stefan exclaimed, starting towards me. “It’s you!”

At those words the butler turned, and the glass in his hand fell to the floor, shattering instantly.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Tookes!” Helena snapped, getting to her feet.

“My apologies, madam,” the butler replied sombrely, with a slight bow. “I will have this mess cleared up at once.”

As if by magic, a maid appeared. The glass was swept up and the mess from the drink cleared in the blink of an eye.

In the time it took for this to happen I had an opportunity to look around me. My eyes landed first on Agatha. She sat near the fireplace, still leaning towards Stefan, who now had his back to her. She looked lovely, in a pale yellow gown that I had made myself, a sleek silk construction that flattered her colouring. Her dark, shining hair was piled on top of her head in glossy curls, and she was the picture of pretty innocence – apart from the calculating look in her grey eyes as they rested on me. I supposed that the girl sitting beside her was her sister, Cassie.

“That will be all, Tookes,” Helena said coldly to the butler. “You may leave the rest of the drinks on the trolley. Now that Miss Fox has arrived, we will want dinner shortly.”

“Certainly, my lady.” The butler glided past me and out of the door without another word.

“My apologies, everyone.” Helena’s icy tone melted. “I believe it may be time for Mr Tookes to retire, but it is so difficult when one becomes attached to an old family retainer, isn’t it?”

“That’s just like you, Helena,” simpered a lady seated on the sofa beside my stepmother. She was small and pale, with beady brown eyes and mouse-coloured hair. Her gown did not fit her properly, as if she had recently lost weight, and, though it was done well, I could see that it had been reworked at least twice. “Such a kind heart.”

Helena smiled – a soft, modest smile.

I fought the urge to laugh. A kind heart, indeed. If only they knew.

“But where are my manners?” Helena twinkled. “In all the commotion, I haven’t yet introduced you all to our guest, Miss Fox. She does seem to make an entrance wherever she goes.”

I smiled, and dropped into a light curtsey. There were a dozen people in the room, not including me, and for a moment I felt overwhelmed.

As though he had been held back by an invisible lead which had now been released, Stefan bounded forward, bowing deeply over my hand.

“It is you, isn’t it?” he asked, his tone warm and eager. He had the sort of presence that set a person instantly at ease. “My partner from the ball.”

“Yes.” I smiled. “It’s me. I’m glad to meet you again, Your Highness.”

“I half-expected to find a glass slipper on the stairs,” Stefan chuckled. “Where did you disappear off to on the stroke of midnight?”

“I felt a little unwell,” I said. “It was stuffy in that room. I did almost lose my shoe on the stairs – but I’m sorry to have to disappoint you – they were made of silk. I always thought glass slippers sounded terribly uncomfortable.”

Stefan laughed. Helena interrupted, her tone all concern. “My dear, I’m sorry to hear you were unwell. Are you generally of such a delicate nature?”

She might as well have said outright that I clearly did not have the constitution necessary to be a princess.

“Oh, no, Lady Scott-Holland,” I said pleasantly. “I am usually the least sickly person, I promise you. It was just that the room was warm, and there were a great many people.” I gave a disarming little shrug. “I’m afraid I’m not yet used to these large events, but I daresay it will all be quite normal, soon.”

“Yes, I confess, I was surprised that we hadn’t met before,” Helena said. “Forgive me for asking, but you have not made your come out yet?”

I lowered my eyes and introduced a slight quiver into my voice. “My mother’s death meant that I had to forgo that event for a year. To be perfectly honest I fear that I would have been poor company at the time, even if etiquette had not dictated it.”

“I am sorry to hear that,” Stefan said gravely, understanding in his eyes. “The loss of a parent is a wound that cannot be healed.”