Chapter 22
Vein Ripper dead! Shot by own hand at the scene of a previous crime!
Murder weapon found in his pocket—letter opener used on all the victims…
Servant from the Steelcrest estate gone mad, an Edward Smith…
though physical identification was impossible…
Arthur Dresden discovers murderer and claims the reward…
whole story from his mouth on page four…
High Lord First of Steelcrest testifies!
Lord Kennen Winters found innocent and released!
All charges dropped on both Winters! Monetary settlement given by the High Lord First of Steelcrest…
Huge donation to Command Street...Statements on page six… Town rejoices! Safe once more…
MARIETTA
“Are you angry with me for not telling you before we left for the estate that John was guilty?”
I pushed the special edition papers aside and looked at Gabriel, who was holding a mug of tea to his chest, the steam swirling up and around his face, as beautiful now as it had been the first time I had seen him. Perhaps even more attractive now, if such a thing were possible.
“No. If you had told me about Alcroft after you made the discovery, I would never have been able to keep it a secret from him. I would have acted differently.”
He nodded, his eyes falling to his tea, as if searching for the answers inside. “Are you leaving tonight?”
I wet my lips, my heart unsteady. “I can. Ferris and Kennen are back in our house. The estate veins started glowing again. Kennen said neighbors have been pouring in with congratulatory gifts and goodwill. Invitations are overflowing our box—everyone wanting the first bit of gossip.”
“You are welcome to stay here until the fury dies down.”
No statement on the veins, or the magic. The familiar magic. Too familiar.
The same power I’d felt humming through his Ashfield house, and of course his house on Ember Square, now flowed into ours. The gilded depended on their estates—powerful, if they had it—and put less stock in the harder kind of cultivation, rewarded by discipline and connection. Sharing.
I touched my wrist, and the stars there. If the gilded knew what a magical prize he was, he would never find a moment’s peace.
“Thank you. I should probably be there, though. In case Kennen needs me.” The last was more of a question. If he asked me to stay...?
“Best for you not to be caught here. Everyone is probably wondering where you’ve been. You visited a friend in the country. No matter what your ratty cousin says.”
I smiled, a strained, forced smile. “Yes.”
“I know a nice couple in Windmark who will vouch for your whereabouts this past month, should you need it.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Please.”
Silence.
“I’ll help you pack.”
Packing took little time. Not nearly as much as it had taken a month past. It was as if time had sped ahead to hasten our separation. I dreaded the activity of packing as much now as I had then. The pain in my heart markedly different, but still present.
The next thing I knew, I was at the bottom of the stairs, case in hand.
“It would be best if you travel alone. I’ll have my driver stop a street or two over. You can catch a closed cab.” He pressed a few coins into my palm, his touch burning. “I’ll send your other things around later. In an unmarked carriage.”
“Thank—” I cut myself off before I could finish the sentiment. Silence pervaded the foyer. “Will you be—”
“I’ll be fine,” he said.
I nodded and gripped my case more tightly, wrist pressed to my waist.
Gabriel leaned forward, touching my chin, my cheek, brushing a loose strand behind my ear. His lips touched mine. Soft, yet firm. Warm and lovely. He pulled away, our bottom lips holding until the last moment and then disconnecting with regret.
“Good luck, Marietta. I know you will be fine. Remember what I said.”
Find some nice young man to marry, comfortable, not a gambler—someone who will treasure you.
Someone who wasn’t Gabriel. Someone with whom I could marry and raise a family. Someone I didn’t love.
But also someone I wouldn’t burden. Who wouldn’t have to awkwardly reject my offerings. Who might come to love me someday.
“Good luck, Gabriel.”
The carriage took me away.
~*~
“Have you heard? The High Lady of Steelcrest and Nightshade is being estate censured,” one lady whispered to another as they passed through the gilded hall. “Full censure, not partial.”
“Barbaric. That means the estate will suffer too. She must have done something terrible—”
“I know! Maybe she was the real Vein Ripper.” They tittered, as if this was the least believable thing. “She was always too pretty, you know? And unexplained things constantly happened in her wake.”
“She knew her trends, though. The gilded will need someone to take over for that—and I nominate you, that dress is charmed.”
“This old thing? Why it is barely above a rag,” she said, patting her beautiful gown, pleased. “But I have some ideas for that—” They passed, blending into the crowd.
I looked into the ballroom. The doors wide open to me. The night’s festivities were in full swing, the gilded euphoric over their new intrigue and gossip. And over their notorious new favorite members.
I’d had to use my newly discovered skills to become one with the fern I was currently standing beside, to take a break from being accosted by people wanting to know.
Wanting to discover the salacious news before their neighbors.
Wanting to know how our veins had been recharged.
What was our secret, how far would the magic go?
I paused at the threshold. Each group on the floor would be delighted for me to join them.
Like a storybook on vellum pages, I was asked to dance every dance at every ball—needing to turn down offers to save my feet.
It was like a strange dream. And though the vellum was lovely, it was unsatisfying.
Two women chattered in chairs off to the side. “The Winters are distantly related to the Shastmores, Givets, Frostwoods, and Tercakes. Two high lords in their tree! Lovely connections.”
The other woman nodded and I turned away. Of course now our connections were remembered, when it was convenient. The invitations that had dried up like the desert were now flooding our silver tray—the gilded eager to unearth every piece of the scandal. Our fall from grace and triumphant return.
I saw Ferris, still thin, but not emaciated like Kennen, holding court.
Kennen stood next to him looking more uncomfortable than he would have in this situation six weeks ago—Ferris, on the other hand, was acting as if he’d never left the bosom of society.
As if he’d always had a small fortune, courtesy of the High Lord First of Steelcrest, and estate veins blooming with promise. I made my way to them.
“…and that is the exact thing I told him. Crandon, my friend, you don’t put the bet on the sixes!”
The crowd around him laughed. I had heard the joke six times now, though, and was waiting for someone to finally catch on that it wasn’t a very good one.
“My sister! Here she is! Have you met my sister, Plufield?”
The high lord said no and we were quickly introduced.
“Charming.”
“Delightful.”
“Handsome.”
I would start to think highly of myself if the new adjectives to describe me continued.
“I was wondering if I might have a word with you both,” I said to my brothers.
The other men quickly excused themselves. Ferris looked put out. “What are you doing, Mari? Flushing the game into other yards?”
“No. I don’t desire—”
“I have two offers for you already. And four more just waiting. Think we might even be able to bring Plufield up to scratch. My sister, a high lady. Just think of it! We’ll use the others to advance his suit, of course. And if a bigger fish finds himself in our net, well, then we will scoop it up.”
“Ferris—”
“I’m the most glorious brother, I know.”
“No. Why are you doing this?”
Ferris’s brow furrowed. Kennen looked uncomfortable, but for the first time he didn’t run off at the sign of a fight.
He threw his shoulders back and braced his feet.
He would need to work on his neck and head, hanging lower and pressed forward, but pride rushed through me. Kennen was finally growing up.
I knew who to thank. Gabriel had done something to him. Shoved a spine up his tail or pulled a string through his core. Kennen had gone to visit and thank him a few days ago and come back a new man.
“The opportunity is there. We must grab it.” Ferris must have read my face correctly for once, because his tone changed to disbelief.
“You can’t tell me you don’t want to be married, Mari.
There are plenty of good matches here. Solid ones.
I think you should wait out Plufield, myself, but if you think the lure is only good for a few weeks, perhaps we should take one of the others.
Nice, ready blunt there. Good connections. ”
If Ferris knew that Gabriel was the reason our estate was blooming again, he’d try to serve me to him naked on a platter.
“Blunt is one of the things of which we need to speak.”
“Really, Mari, I hardly think a girl need worry about such things. I have extra pin money for you,” he said generously. “You can buy a new bonnet or ribbons.”
“You can’t keep spending, Ferris.”
“’Course I can. I have the funds, don’t I? Steelcrest was quite considerate.”
“Ga—” I cleared my throat. “Master Noble hired an accountant for the reward funds, the compensation, and settlement. You will reach the limit on the quarterly cap soon.”
“I’ll just take a loan against the rest, nothing to it.”
Anger pushed past my shields. “Have you learned nothing? We will be penniless once more. Beholden and ruined.”
“Which is why you will marry Plufield. Or Ratching. They can keep us flush. Won’t let their in-laws starve.”
“You are unbelievable. I can’t—”
Kennen held up a hand, chin high. “I’ll talk to him, Mari.”