Page 8 of Half Agony, Half Hope

With very little sincerity,

Pearl

P.S. I can also neither confirm nor deny that other men are showering me with lost books.

I refuse to be bullied into compliance. However, pettiness against my tutors is an idea worth pondering.

P.S. Clearly I will have to up the ante. Would a first edition of The Odyssey written on papyrus suffice?

Pearl was laughing uproariously when Pru popped into existence in the living room. Pearl immediately quieted and pulled the letter behind her back, but it was too late. Pru’s focus lit up and the letter was in her hand before Pearl could vanish it away.

It only took Pru a few seconds to read the last letter, and she dropped heavily onto the couch when she finished. “That absolute prat. How dare he use your weaknesses against you. Does he really have a first edition of The Odyssey?”

Pearl sank down next to her. “Honestly, it could be a joke, but he lured me into the library with a cursed copy of Chaucer’s The Book of the Lion.”

“I love how you say that like I know what it is.”

“Chaucer referenced it in a list of his works, no known copies exist, and Corvus has one. I could be the very first person in centuries to read this book.”

“Could it be a fake?”

That earned Pru a look. “Come on. You may not like him, but his family is known for their keen sense of authenticity. His mother will sometimes go to museums to spot fakes and send them nasty letters degrading the authenticity of their collection for sport.”

“Of course she does. And this is the family you want to work for?”

“I mean, Corvus showed me one of the letters once, and it was hilarious. She has a particular vendetta against the British Museum, and I don’t think either of us have a lot of love lost for that institution.”

“I just.” Pru sighed before she continued. “I just remember how incredibly charming he was. Fred was easy to get over because he always did or said something stupid that reminded me what a prick he was, but Corvus was smooth, and he was mad for you. Fred and I always knew where we stood, but I thought…” Pru cut herself off, and Pearl had to prompt her to continue.

“You thought what?”

“Nothing, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“It’s too late now. Out with it!” Pearl was playful, but Pru’s expression stayed serious.

“I thought that man was so in love with you he was going to spit in his parents’ eyes and marry you no matter the cost. He fooled us all, and that’s what scares me. I know you beat yourself up for believing him, but I believed him, too. It would be so easy to believe him again, but don’t do it. Don’t let him in.”

Pearl let herself in the next morning after her long walk up the drive. She was in no mood to wait around for someone to answer the door, and blessedly, it allowed her entrance. Mercutio curled up on one of the chairs like he owned the place and promptly settled in for a morning nap. She’d been working merrily for a couple of hours cataloging the library when Corvus found her.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were here! How can I be helpful to you today?”

Pearl’s reply was short and clipped. “I don’t need any help, thank you.”

“Surely there’s some way I can assist?

“Corvus, this isn’t going to work if you keep popping in all the time. I need space and quiet if I’m going to complete this job. I will call you if I need you.”

Pearl could tell Corvus made an attempt not to react, but he couldn’t completely hide his disappointment. She had suspected yesterday that he was tightly controlling his reactions, but this was confirmation that he was trying not to let any negative emotions through.

“Everything felt so easy when we were writing letters yesterday. Did I say or do something wrong?” His words were tentative and tinged with hurt.

Pru was right. Everything in his face and voice and words felt like the truth. She had to pinch herself to respond in a neutral tone. “Everything is fine. I’m just focusing on my work.” When what she wanted to say was, “Yes. You did many things wrong many years ago.”

Pearl expected Corvus to be upset at her shutting him down, but he simply replied without any bitterness in his tone - emotions back under control. “I understand. But I am sorry if I overstepped in any way.” Corvus stepped away and placed a lovely, crystal bell on a nearby table. “When you ring this, it is enchanted to notify me if there is anything you need.”

The only response Corvus received was a snort. There was a teasing note in his reply. “And may I ask why this very kind offer is being met with derision?”

Curse how hard it was to stay mad at this ridiculous man. How could you stay mad at someone who gives you a crystal bell to ring if you need him? “Is this your response to me encouraging you to get a cell phone? I feel like I’m back in Regency England ringing the butler.”