The Paranormal 13 (13 free books featuring witches, vampires, werewolves, mermaids, psychics, Loki, time travel and more!): Now with a bonus 14th novel! by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Frostbite Publishing
Published: 2014-10-12T04:00:00+00:00

19

An engagement or betrothal, seventeenth century style:

A legally binding contract.

Parental permission required for anyone under the age of 21.

Penalty, fines and a trip to the church court could result if anyone got cold feet and tried to renege.

—Petra’s notes

Mary bustled into her room, and pulled back the drapes with a flourish. If she’d been an actor in a musical she would have burst into song.

“You’re happy about the engagement,” Petra guessed, watching Mary dance around the room.

Mary shook a yellow dress at Petra, motioning for her to hurry.

“Am I going somewhere?” Petra ran her tongue over her teeth, longing for a toothbrush.

“You have a visitor, my lady.” Mary’s voice had a new trill. “Tis Mistress Anne.”

“Already?” Petra swung her feet to the floor and stretched. Mary came to pull the nightgown over her head. It still felt odd to have Mary dress her, like she was a life-size doll or a store mannequin.

Mary practically threw her clothes on her and then began attacking her hair with a comb. “Do you know why?” Petra asked.

“Well, if I was her, I would use the excuse to spy out my new home.” Mary used the comb to pull Petra’s hair.

“She’s been here before.”

“Not as the future mistress,” Mary said, smiling, twisting Petra’s hair into long coils.

“Mary, do you think Anne and Lord Garret will be happy together?” Petra asked.

“Happy?” Mary poised a pin above Petra’s head.

“I know you’re happy about Anne, but do you think Anne will be happy?”

Mary looked as if she’d found flowers sprouting from Petra’s head. “Why would she not be happy?”

“Will people be nice to her?”

Mary lowered the comb, confusion creasing her forehead. “I thought you disliked Mistress Anne?”

Petra took a deep breath. “Why would you say that?”

“Well, you were not sunshine and happiness when you met. You discouraged Lord Garret from purchasing her tapestry.”

The first time she’d met Anne, Anne had drugged her, poked through her things and had called her stupid.

“And when we went to her cottage, you were…” for once Mary seemed to be considering her words, “telling her what to do.”

She’d been bossy. Being bossy in some situations was a good thing. It made her good with animals, it made her a good editor of the Royal Oaks high school newspaper, but probably not a good friend.

“I want people to be nice to Anne. I…” she faltered. “I wish I’d been nicer.”

Mary didn’t look up from Petra’s buttons. “You’ll be kind to her, won’t you Mary?”

Mary snorted.

“Of course you will. You can’t afford to lose your job.” How sad if her only “friends” were people who were paid to be kind to her.

“Mary, are you sure Anne is here to visit me? Perhaps she’s here to see Lord Garret.”

Mary, who’d been bent over the buttons, straightened. “A lady would never presume to call upon a gentleman.”

“Even one she’s going to marry?”

Mary lifted her eyebrows. “Besides, Lord Garret has gone to London to speak to his father.” Mary gave Petra a broad, encouraging smile and pushed her toward the door.

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