Chapter 1 #2
There had been rumors flying around about me.
The death of a fae who’d supposedly been murdered by a vampire a few weeks earlier had turned public opinion against me—all because I pushed for reforms involving vampires and werewolves.
I didn’t regret my stand. Most of them were victims, rather than monsters, and needed our help.
But the papers and fae media kept misrepresenting my intentions.
From the earnest look my uncle gave me, it was clear he had a particular idea about how I could improve my image.
“And what do you suggest?” I asked warily.
“The best way to fight the damage to your reputation is to show the people and the council that you’re ready and willing to take your place and be their king at the end of the month.
The people will rally behind the king they have long awaited if you give them something to celebrate.
” A smile spread across his lips. “Such as a royal engagement.”
I sighed. “Not again, Uncle.” He’d always been nothing but supportive of me, but for the past few years he’d been trying to get me to marry Rosalie Trent.
“Lady Catherine and I have been talking, and Rosalie is the perfect woman for you. Someone the people love from a prominent family and of course is highborn fae. Her family is very traditional, so they will help you lay these rumors about you to rest. Her mother, Vanessa Trent, is on the council and has promised to sway them in your favor.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“In fact…” Like a contestant showman revealing what was behind door number one, my uncle jumped to his feet and opened the door to an adjacent sitting room with a flair. “I have invited her and her family to come visit us.”
In walked Rosalie Trent with her long, blonde, perfectly-styled hair and her never-ending smile.
Her father and mother came after her with wide grins on their faces, as if this was how things were normally done.
Mrs. Trent was an expert in magical artifacts and ran an entire business surrounding them.
She’d also been a good friend of my mother.
“Hello, James,” Mrs. Trent said to my uncle before turning to me. “Prince Fitzwilliam, we are so flattered to be here.”
Rosalie walked up to me and threw her arms around my neck. “Isn’t this so exciting? What should we do on our first date?”
I grabbed her shoulders and eased her back. Not only had my uncle invited her, but I was also already meeting the parents. My life was being put into hyperdrive. “I’m sorry,” I said, ready to turn this all down. “I was actually going to the study to—”
“Yes!” Rosalie clapped her hands. “I’d love to see the study.
I’ve learned a lot about interior design in the past couple of weeks.
I even read about your friend Caroline Bingley in Faelight Couture magazine.
She’s an up-and-coming talent for certain.
I think I’d do well in the field, too. I’d completely makeover this entire dreary cabin. ”
I thought I saw the flames in the fireplace flare in indignation.
She walked into the study looking unimpressed. “There are far too many books in here. If we got rid of a few rows, I’d add some decor to make this place shine on BookTok. And of course we’d need to arrange the books by color.”
“Color?” I asked. “But then how would you find the book you wanted?”
She waved a dismissive hand. “No, that doesn’t matter. It’s all about aesthetics.”
The books rattled. One fell on the floor. Over Her Dead Body by Kate White. The spirits that lived in the walls clearly didn’t approve of the idea.
I ran my fingers through my hair, wondering how my day had taken such a sudden turn, but also trying to figure out what to say to her. “Do you have a favorite book?”
“Favorite book?” She echoed as if that wasn’t something anyone had ever asked her.
“Yes, what do you enjoy reading?” I tried not to think about how much Lizzy would love this room as is.
“Oh, um, well, I like reading Faelight Couture. As I told you.”
I walked over and looked through the bookcase. Caroline had been to the cabin a few times, so there had to be a fashion magazine in here somewhere. I pulled out an issue of Faelight Couture and handed it to her.
“You found a copy,” Rosalie gushed, but then disappointment crossed her face. “It’s an old issue.”
The books again rattled, and I was worried about what they might throw at us next. “We won’t be reorganizing the books here anytime soon,” I stated.
The books calmed. The spirits understood I was on their side.
“Of course not yet.” She gave a little laugh. “But after we’re married and we come here on our honeymoon, it will give me something to do. And I hear you, magic bookshelf. Trust me, you’ll like it.”
I didn’t correct her; it was spirits and not a magic spell on the library. But at the rattling of the books, I held up a calming hand, and they stilled. “Rosalie, we aren’t engaged.”
“Not yet.” She gave what she clearly thought was a winning smile.
I sighed, the exasperation of the last few minutes coming to a head. I turned away and sat at my desk. After opening my laptop, I pulled up the files and began scrolling through them. I wanted to make sure I had all the right names on the list I’d created. That I’d left nothing out.
Luckily, Rosalie seemed to get the hint, and she sat down, flipping open her outdated magazine. After a few moments, she sighed. “Is this all we’re going to do?”
I wished to say yes, but my manners had me grudgingly asking, “Is there something else you want to do? Would you like to go skiing?”
“Skiing? Oh, no.” She shuddered.
We were going to get along great.
Lizzy would have sat and read without any problem.
Or more likely, she’d have sat next to me and gone over my notes.
Lizzy loved a mystery and wasn’t afraid to puzzle through the facts, coming up with insights I’d overlooked.
I knew that because when I’d first met her, we’d ended up stuck together trying to solve a murder.
I held in a sigh. Getting over Lizzy was hopeless. No woman, fae, or otherwise female creature could compare. Maybe I should leave and return to Austen Heights early. I longed to see her.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I lifted it out, opened up the text message, and stared at it in surprise.
Your Highness, this is Clara Ashcombe. I know how your parents really died. Can you meet me in two days at the Hearthside Inn at 8:00 a.m.?
My heart raced. Clara Ashcombe was a woman on the council and one of my mother’s friends. As a young teen, I’d often spent time at her home in upstate Maine and rode horses with Georgiana while my mother visited with her. I recalled the woman’s soft smile and cheery attitude.
Energy buzzed through me. I had no idea what she wanted to share, but somehow I knew she had the missing piece I’d been waiting for. At last, I’d find out how my parents died.
I shot off a response.
Yes. I appreciate you reaching out. I will be there.
My reply sounded much too mild for the anticipation that quickened my breath.
My mind raced with everything I wanted to ask her, but before I could do anything else, my phone again vibrated. I glanced down and, to my surprise, saw Lizzy was calling.
Rosalie spun toward me, her face lighting up. “I know what we could do—”
“Forgive me, I need to take this.” I rose from my seat and stepped from the study as I answered the call and put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Darcy? Hex, thank goodness,” Lizzy’s voice had that tone to it when she was extremely worried. I hadn’t heard it since she thought she might lose her job after Lydia had run off with Wickham when they were suspected of murder.
I went on high alert. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I… I’m aware this is odd—me calling out of the blue—I just couldn’t think of anyone else to turn to—”
“What do you need?” I hated hearing her voice so stressed.
“It’s my father. The Moonrot has gotten worse. I don’t think he has a lot of time left, and I—I know you’ve been researching Moonrot, and I was wondering if you’d share what you found with me. If we can work on it together? I—we have to find a cure soon—”
“I’m on my way.” I hurried over to the closet and grabbed my coat. Reaching up, I grasped the keys for my uncle’s Jeep on the hook by the door. He was leaving shortly, but he could call Georgiana and have her bring the car around for him.
There was a moment of silence. Then, “Jane said that you’re on a ski trip in Wyoming, and I don’t want to disturb you but—”
“I’m headed to the airport right now.” I pushed open the study door and grabbed my computer bag, shoving the papers and my laptop into it.
Rosalie cleared her throat, and I froze, remembering her. I spun around and mouthed, “I have to run.” Then, ignoring her indignant expression, took the computer bag with me and hurried out the front door.
“I’m sorry, it’s just this is really important,” Lizzy said again, though there was clear relief in her voice.
“Don’t worry about it. I have some good news that hopefully will help us. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Tossing the laptop into the passenger seat, I started the Jeep. “And trust me, Lizzy, we’re going to figure this out.”