Of Twisted Fates (Kinsley Sisters Book 1) by Heather Chapman & Jo Perry

Author:Heather Chapman & Jo Perry [Chapman, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-08-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Isabelle

Rain pelted the upstairs window, leaving wet splotches that blurred the scene below. I placed my fingers against the glass, smudging the pane. Not even poor weather derailed Mrs. Somerville’s determination for matchmaking. She refused to postpone the musicale, shaking her head at the muddied-road conditions. “Such a small risk for such pretty company,” she had said, winking.

Anna’s maid tugged a strand of hair at the nape of my neck, wrapping it around the curling wand, and pulling my gaze to the mirror once more. I had watched her at work on Anna’s hair many times, but never on mine until last week.

My aunt’s maid had been accomplished in only two styles of hair, both of which were catered to the elder generation. As a result, I had tried, on multiple occasions, to style my own. These efforts had passed but only if one did not inspect too closely.

“Now, the finishing touch,” Anna said, slipping beside the maid to tuck flowers into the twists and curls. The pink roses, collected on a walk the previous day, served as my friend’s apology for her dramatics about the library. “There.”

Anna’s moodiness rarely lasted longer than a few hours, and the half-day distance had rattled me more than I wished to admit. Without her, I felt alone at Haven’s Landing. No mother to embrace, no horrid but familiar aunt to turn to. The Somervilles endeared themselves to me with each passing day, but Anna was my link to every one of them.

I welcomed her apology and her cheery disposition once again. My friend was frivolous, at times unbearably selfish and indulgent, but I adored the lightness of her ways—the way she laughed so easily, the way she seemed to agree with most of my plans.

“You know,” I said, admiring the flowers in the mirror’s reflection. My lips lifted on one side. “You needn’t dote on me in order to regain my friendship. You never lost it.”

Anna’s dark hair had been pinned low, and a few strands, pulled to one side, spiraled past her shoulder. Her glossy curls sparkled almost as bright as her eyes in the candlelight. “Oh, but I despise how I acted. I hope you know that I am a fool when it comes to Mr. Windham—I always have been, and his seeing me in my nightdress was unbearable. But then, they only meant to have a little fun, and perhaps there will come a time when Mr. Windham may see me in my nightdress often…if...”

She squealed.

I sighed, grateful the momentary jealousy of earlier had dissipated. I placed my hand against the gifted necklace from a week earlier. The gold chain was an icy comfort to my burning neck. I longed for the breezes of the sea to cool the summer heat. “I will say that you have picked quite the gentleman—an entertaining but sincere one that I believe you will find great happiness with.”

She dipped her head in order to catch our reflections and grinned, and the shimmer of her dress seemed to reach her eyes, flickering back at me.

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