Her Cursed Apple (Regency Magic Faerie Tales Book 4) by Eliza Prokopovits

Author:Eliza Prokopovits [Prokopovits, Eliza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2024-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Malorie glared at the letter in her hand. She was clenching it so tightly in her fist that the paper was crumpling. She laid it flat on the desk and smoothed it out, rereading it. It said everything good, everything she’d wanted to read for years: Lady Larkwell was inviting them to dinner at Larkwell House as soon as they were in town to reacquaint Bianca with her son and to introduce her to other select members of the ton. Such an introduction to society could only stand Bianca in good stead, starting her debut on firm footing and gaining attention from all the right people. With such a beginning, she couldn’t fail to make a match by summer.

How could such a positive letter make Malorie so furious?

She breathed slowly, deeply, searching for the cause. Lady Larkwell was an irritating companion, but Malorie had dealt with far worse. Her son was a weakling, barely more than a boy, but he was rich and titled and would take Bianca far away from Eston Hall, which had always been Malorie’s primary goal.

Bianca. Bianca was the problem. As usual.

Lady Larkwell’s letter spoke of the girl in such complimentary terms. And if Lady Larkwell introduced Bianca to her acquaintance in town, they were sure to share her opinion. That was the point of an introduction from such a leader in society, after all. Could Malorie sit through an entire dinner party filled with people singing Bianca’s praises? Forget dinner—could she bear a Season in town spent listening to others extoll the girl’s virtues and pretending that she doted on the little hoyden?

No. It was too much. Bianca had her father and the Pinehurst family wrapped around her finger, and soon she’d have all of London at her feet. The thought was insufferable. It was no longer enough to have miles of distance separating them. The girl had to go. For good.

Malorie sat where she was, staring absently at the letter for hours as she made her plans.

***

Three days until they left Eston Hall. Not that Bee was counting.

She snuck scones on her way out to the stables, thinking it was almost too easy to steal from the kitchens with the chameleon spell. Harry was already preparing Diamond for her ride; his own horse stood ready nearby. Bee barely registered the bags behind his saddle; she went straight to her mare and fed her an apple that she’d snagged with the scones. They mounted and rode slowly from the stable, keeping to a walk until out of sight of the house, just as they always did.

But unlike every other day, as soon as they were out of eyeshot, Harry leaned over and grabbed Diamond’s reins from Bee. His knee bumped hers as the horses jostled.

“What are you doing?” Bee asked, startled.

“We’re taking a different way, Miss Snow. I need you to trust me.”

His expression was too serious to question. Bee nodded. Harry let go the reins then, riding a little ahead and leading the

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