hands.
“Tell me it isn’t true,” she says, voice low.
“What isn’t true?”
Cheeks tinged pink, she looks like she’s on the verge of exploding. “I called upon you this morning and you weren’t home. Your sister, however, informed me of the most distressing news.”
My heart leaps into my throat. That means Father and Nina received my letter.
Imogen squeezes my hands tight in her grasp. “Tell me you did not get a job.” The last word is said with so much disgust, one would think she was talking about murder.
“I did—”
Before I can say another word, she pulls me toward the stairs, one hand still clenched around mine. I snatch my fingers away and follow her at a more moderate pace. She reaches the top landing and begins to tap her foot while she waits for me to meet her there. With every step I climb, I relish her annoyance.
“My dear Gemma, I am so upset with you I can hardly find the words,” she mutters once I reach her. She then leads me to the door I recognize as belonging to their parlor. Strains of piano music float from the other side, a sound so peaceful and elegant, it momentarily roots me to the spot. Imogen, far less moved by the melody, throws open the doors and stalks into the parlor. “Enough, Ember.”
The music halts abruptly, and I enter the room, finding her stepsister, Ember, rising from the pianoforte. Like the first time I saw her, she wears a large bonnet that almost obscures her face. She offers me a smile, which I return behind Imogen’s back.
“Go away,” Imogen barks at Ember. “You too, Clara.”
Another girl, one I’ve only met once or twice, sits up from where she’d previously been lying on one of the couches. Nearly identical to Imogen with her blonde curls and pouty face, Clara whines, “I was here first. Besides, I have a headache.”
Imogen strides up to her sister, hands on her hips. “It should be better now that Ember’s racket has been cut off. Now, get out so I can speak to darling Gemma alone.”
With a huff, Clara stands and drags her feet to the door, giving me not even a moment’s glance.
As soon as the door is closed, Imogen rounds on me. “I cannot stand the suspense. Come and explain this nonsense at once, for I feel I might faint.” Eyes unfocused, she takes her sister’s place, lowering onto the couch and patting the seat next to her.
I ignore the gesture and claim the chair across the table instead. “It is as you already know. I’ve accepted a job.”
She stifles a cry of alarm, bringing a hand to her lips. “Gemma, you cannot. Have you any idea how this looks? No man wants a wife who works outside the home. It makes you seem…poor.”
So many arguments spring to my lips, but I crush them with a false smile. I know where my justifications will get me with Imogen. Bloody nowhere. Which means it’s time for me to take the lead. Leaning forward, I prepare my lies behind a mask of apology. “Imogen, I know how distressing this must be for you. Seeing me employed wasn’t part of your designs for my happiness, and I know my father tasked you with finding me a husband. But I’m not sure anyone could have refused the job I was offered.”
“How so?”
“It’s just…my employer. He’s not a person one can say no to.”
She scoffs. “It’s easy enough when one is rich like you are. What use could you possibly have for a job?”
There’s no answer I can give her that will make her understand, so I’m left with but one thing to say. Lowering my voice, I infuse my tone with a conspiratorial air. “Imogen, dear, why did you never tell me a fae royal lives in Vernon?”
She pales, mouth falling open. “Excuse me?”
“Well, technically, he lives just outside of town. You’ve met him, though, haven’t you?”
Her face flashes between shock and irritation. I can only imagine how incensed she is that I appear to know something she does not. “A fae royal, you say?”
“Yes, and such a refined fae gentleman, at that. I thought for sure you would have met him, considering you are such a popular young lady in town. Then again, perhaps he has yet to make any acquaintances in Vernon. He has just taken up residence here. It’s his vacation home that’s nearby, and I have been tasked with managing it.”
Eyes wide, she shakes her head