The Infamous Heir by Elizabeth Michels

Author:Elizabeth Michels [Michels, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2016-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Roselyn helped herself to a small tea cake from the platter on the table in the middle of their gathering in the parlor. She sat back next to Victoria, who fidgeted with the ends of her short hair. Clearly she wasn’t used to the new style even after a few days of wear. Some called it a shame that her hair had been singed in the fire, but Roselyn thought her new fashion rather becoming. It managed to convey Victoria at a glance: no level of fussiness and an air of rebellion.

Roselyn smiled and took a bite of her cake. At least one good thing had come from the fire.

“I see Isabelle isn’t with you today,” her mother said from the other end of the settee, causing Roselyn to suck in a quick breath. Leave it to her mother to point out the elephant in the parlor.

“No. She was otherwise engaged,” Victoria stated, dropping her hand to her lap.

“Oh? It is a busy time with the season in full force.”

“It is. However, Isabelle was too busy not speaking to me to attend. I’m sure it’s nothing against the company you provide.” The twins were never apart, never until the fire and its aftermath. Now, as Roselyn had heard it, the two were barely speaking. She couldn’t blame Isabelle; she was heartbroken, after all. She’d held a great love for Mr. Brice, and now, quite suddenly, he was gifted with a title for his heroism and a betrothal to her own sister. The situation was painful on all sides, Roselyn believed, because Victoria had no desire to marry at all, let alone be paired with a gentleman her sister pined after.

“She’s still upset over your upcoming nuptials?” Lily asked.

Victoria’s eyes glazed over with clear anger even as she appeared to offer a polite smile. “I believe that, aside from my father, everyone involved finds my upcoming nuptials bitter medicine to take. I, for one, would rather stay ill.”

“Is it as terrible as that?” Roselyn’s mother asked, leaning forward to take another biscuit from the tray. “Surely Mr. Brice is pleased. Or should I call him Lord Hardaway now? His new title does have a nice ring to it,” she mused as she popped the small biscuit into her mouth in one bite.

“It was given to him as a reward, which, in my opinion, is an entirely false means of possessing a title,” Victoria said dismissively.

“Victoria! He’s to be your husband,” Roselyn’s mother scolded in the haughty manner only a dowager duchess could achieve, yet mixed with the concern Roselyn knew the woman had for those around her.

Victoria shrugged and took a sip of the tea Roselyn had seen her spike with liquor earlier. “He knows my thoughts on the matter.”

“Other gentlemen acquire titles upon a relative’s death,” Lily cut in. “Your own father received his rank from a distant cousin not long ago, did he not?”

“That’s different. Those gentlemen are not Kelton Brice.” Victoria spat the name as if it contained poison.

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