Chapter 7 #3
“So, I’m na?ve?” I didn’t love what he was suggesting. But he had a point. “I do understand my privilege, and I try to make a difference with it.”
“I don’t know that you’re na?ve, but definitely pure-hearted. You’ve never needed pretenses because your reality is many other people’s dreams,” he said, and though I could have taken it as an insult, the way he spoke made it feel more like a compliment.
And his love is true, Rosie literally sang, and I pushed her pot farther away, spilling another dose of calming magic into her petals.
“I’m guessing things haven’t always been so easy for you?” I asked.
“I can’t complain. I’ve got it good, but yes, I’ve had plenty of obstacles in my journey.” He shrugged. “However, I still have my parents around, and you lost yours. That must’ve been very painful.”
“Yes, extremely.” I didn’t want to dwell on their deaths. The way the back of my knees got weak when they occupied my thoughts for too long could leave me in a fog for days. “Well, I’m going to message Phoebe. Will you read this? Tell me what you think.”
Phoebe, Hi it’s Georgiana Valemont from College de Synthese. How’ve you been? I have a question for you about Zac DeLounge. We ran into each other recently, but something seemed very off. I’m just concerned. Do you know if he was wrapped up in anything dangerous?
“Looks good. Hopefully she’ll give you an honest response.” Henry approved, so I clicked send and pulled a tray from the oven.
“Those smell heavenly.” He eyed the fresh cookies filling the room with the warm scents of vanilla and chocolate.
We waited for several minutes but received no response. “Well, it was worth a try.”
I transferred the cookies to a cooling rack and had Henry help me repeat the process of scooping balls of dough and coating them with powdered sugar before placing the next batch in the oven.
“I admire that you’re trying to comfort your guests even though you have an entire staff to do that for you,” he said.
“I never thought about it that way. Our staff works so hard, and I want them to know I’m grateful.
Pemberley really is their home, too.” I considered for a moment the makeshift family we made at Pemberley and tried to imagine what it would be like if Darcy and I tried to manage the place on our own, or if we treated our staff as our inferiors.
What a bleak and depressing place it would be.
“You know, I…” Henry started.
Rose bustled back into the kitchen carrying a bunch of lettuce. “I think salad will go well with the soup and potatoes, don’t you think?”
“Of course,” I answered and opened the dishwasher to load in the measuring cups and spoons we’d used. “I’m cleaning up after myself.”
Rose gave me a cheeky grin. “That’s right, young lady. Cleaning up is part of baking.”
I laughed and explained to Henry, “She likes to give me a hard time because as a little girl I was a disaster in the kitchen with all of my experiments.”
“Yes, you were. Making up recipes to try, exploding science experiments, and creative projects.” Rose chuckled. “You were a little junior chemist.”
“Makes sense,” Henry responded. “She was very talented in our chemistry class. Wait…didn't we try to make an invisibility potion as children?”
“Oh, that's right. That mess certainly wasn't invisible,” I answered. "Lately, my experiments have remained strictly in the botanical realm. Plants hold the answers to many health ailments."
Just as the timer for the second batch went off, my phone buzzed. A message from Phoebe Hunt popped up on my screen.
Georgiana, Nice to hear from you. I’ve been on the Riviera and don’t always see my phone right away. How’d you run into Zac? Honestly, if he came to you, I wouldn’t trust him.
After removing the tray from the hot oven, I showed the message to Henry. “What do you think of this?”
He read over the message. “She would know. If she’s willing to share any more, that might help.”
“Agreed.” I typed in a reply to Phoebe.
Sorry to ask, but can you elaborate? The situation I’m in feels rather dire.
Three dots appeared on my screen as Phoebe read the message.
He always has some scheme up his sleeve. Before I broke up with him, I found out he’d been trying to find dirt on everyone (including me) in order to blackmail them. He’s a jerk, sorry.
I’m sorry that happened to you. How long ago did you break up?
It’s been about six months. I found his little book of secrets, and he’d written every incriminating thing he could about everyone he’d ever met, including myself.
I hate to ask, but do you know if I was in that book?
I don’t recall your name, but he would have loved to target you, I’m sure.
Can you think of any specific people that he could have really upset?
He’s gotten into serious trouble hasn’t he?
You could say that.
He’s ridiculous. Anyone from school could be on the list, including teachers at Synthese. He’d written things about my parents. I suppose you could have been in the book, but there were so many more names, I didn’t notice.
Another question. Did you by chance see Henry Cypres's name in the book?
Yes, I think so. If I remember correctly, though it wasn’t anything that he could get money for, just something about Henry having a disabled sibling. Why?
…
I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to reveal.
Well, I’ve been talking to Henry, and we’re trying to figure out what Zac was after.
Money. Guaranteed.
Thanks Phoebe. I might need to contact you again later.
“That sounds like Zac.” Henry nodded, his face somber. “I wonder if he could have known any of your guests, and if so, how he met them.”
I sighed. “They’ll all say no if I ask them.”
“We can see how they react if we mention his name, though.” He gave a sly grin.
"She mentioned that you have a sibling with a disability?" I asked.
"Oh, my little brother has autism. But I'd hardly call that a disability." Henry grinned from the side of his mouth. "He can be exceptionally honest, though."
"He sounds delightful."