Storm Glass (The Harbinger Series Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler

Author:Jeff Wheeler [Wheeler, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503902329
Publisher: 47North
Published: 2018-06-18T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

BEHIND LOCKED DOORS

The lights in the sitting room dimmed, signaling the end of dancing practice, which always wrapped up the day after the children’s studies ended with Miss Farnworth. The strains of another song had just begun, but the sound had faded into silence before the notes could be heard. Phinia let out a groan of displeasure and quickly turned to her father, who was sitting in his favorite stuffed chair reading a book.

“Father, just one more dance, please. It’s ‘Genny’s Market’!”

In the time Cettie had spent at Fog Willows, she had become familiar with the tunes of the family favorites. Each one had an interesting and peculiar name and a rhythm and a series of steps all its own, which had slowly begun to form in her mind. One of the brother-and-sister pair’s favorites was “Genny’s Market.”

Fitzroy glanced up over his book. He looked weary and tired, and Cettie could see that he would rather send everyone off to bed. Lady Maren was already asleep on the couch.

“Just one more,” he said. “And only because it’s ‘Genny’s Market.’”

Phinia threw her arms around Fitzroy’s neck and kissed him. There was the familiar pulse in the air, the quiver of some hidden magic, and the music filled the room again. It had already started, but they hadn’t missed much.

With the arrival of Adam Creigh to the manor, Anna finally had a dance partner who wasn’t Cettie. Her cheeks were flushed from the exercise and the closeness to the young man she admired. Cettie knew the moves and wished that she could have joined them, but she lacked a partner. She watched Anna and Adam with a little thrill of excitement. The dancing looked so enjoyable. Her favorite part was when the dancers circled each other, the gentleman’s hand on the lady’s back, gazing into each other’s eyes—which was the custom, of course. Many a young woman had undoubtedly swooned to be held in such a way with an admiring gaze fixed on her. Social dancing was how individuals from any class fell in love with each other. But it was also a calculated thing, a test of sorts. Missing a step, turning in the wrong direction at the wrong time could cause a fall from grace and prevent an invitation into more elevated social circles. As Cettie watched, it made her think of the Way of Ice and Shadows and how each movement was sculpted to a purpose. She had a precise mind, and such things appealed to her. She wanted to get it right.

All too soon, the song ended, and the two couples clapped.

“I hope they play it at the Hardings’ ball next week,” Phinia said.

“Are they still having the ball?” Fitzroy asked with concern.

“Indeed,” Stephen replied, reverting to the formal tone he usually took when addressing his father. “Mother says the invitation already arrived.”

“I should think they could ill afford it,” Fitzroy answered, shaking his head.

“But they always host one before everyone leaves for school,” Phinia said. “It’s tradition.

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