All Good Things by Emma Newman

Author:Emma Newman [Newman, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781682306178
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2016-08-02T04:00:00+00:00

19

Will stifled a yawn, uninterested in the ball. Hiding his anger at his father over Sophia was exhausting, especially now he was Duke of Aquae Sulis, and he was thoroughly bored of deflecting enquiries about Cathy. Even the former Master of Ceremonies had been unable to fake his interest in the event; Will had spotted him slinking back into the room after presumably finding a distraction. He was just about to make his own excuses and leave when there was a gasp from the far side of the ballroom, near where the former Censor stood. The guests swiftly parted to reveal Lady Lavender stepping from Exilium, through a gilded mirror. She wore a ball gown made of a lilac fabric so fine it looked like layered mist. Her hair, a rich dark blonde, tumbled in tight curls swept away from her face and down her back, reaching the floor. She smiled at Claudia Lavandula, then Richard, both of whom were bowing more deeply than Will had ever seen. He too bowed, as any sensible man would in the presence of the Fae. The smile their patron gave them made him worry. Surely she would be angered by the fact that they’d lost control of Aquae Sulis?

“We are honoured by your presence,” said the Duke of Aquae Sulis. Lady Lavender barely acknowledged him. When her gaze fell upon Will he bowed his head again, not prepared to stare it out with one of the Fae.

When he straightened, he saw Lord Iris and Lord Poppy step through the glass just before the mirror rippled and was restored to showing a reflection again. Lord Iris was as cold as usual, while Lord Poppy looked utterly delighted by the shocked expressions around him.

“My Lord,” Tom said, stepping forwards from the crowd. “I have an announcement to make, with your permission?”

Will frowned at the way Tom ignored the Duke. “Oh, please, entertain us!” Lord Poppy said with a wave of his black cane. Seeing the look in Tom’s eyes, Will knew he was about to be betrayed.

“I am not an orator, nor a showman, so I will get straight to the point,” Tom said. “I have indisputable proof that my inheritance has been stolen by George Reticulata-Iris, who, having exploited the untimely death of my father, has seized power in Aquae Sulis by means of forgery and deception.”

As an excited murmur rippled across the crowd, Will looked at his father, who was glaring at Tom, ready to defend himself. When he opened his mouth to do so, Lord Poppy held up his hand, crossing the room in a few graceful steps to stand between him and Tom. “No, little Iris, I want to hear more about this from my favourite’s brother.”

“I have obtained the deeds to the properties owned by my family and an Arbiter of the Bath Chapter verified that powerful Iris magic was used to forge the name written on the transfer document for each one. This has been verified by Lady Lavender.

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