The Fair Folk by Su Bristow

Author:Su Bristow [Bristow, Su]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798889660132
Published: 2023-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 38

On the evening of the May Ball, Sebastian came in a taxi to collect her. “You can’t arrive on a bicycle, not for this,” he said, and it was a relief not to have to gather up the folds of her long dress in case it caught in the chain, or to walk in uncomfortable heels all the way to Clare College. Fine clothes are not for doing anything in, she thought. Unless you’re a fairy, of course.

When they arrived, their coats were whisked away, and Felicity found that Elfrida had not quite honoured her wishes after all. She was wearing the blue smock, but over it was a shimmer of fine netting, in a colour that moved from purple to green to blue, shot through with silver thread. Tiny flowers were embroidered on it here and there, and when she moved they seemed to catch the light somehow. There was no time to examine it more closely. Sebastian was standing back, staring at her.

“Wow,” he said. What has she done to my face? Felicity wondered, in something close to panic. What do I have to do to get her to listen to me? But then he came close, seized her hand and said, “You look fabulous! Come on, let’s get some drinks.” So at least he had not fallen at her feet, overwhelmed by her beauty and magnificence. She stole covert glances at other couples as they walked, but none of them seemed to be particularly overwhelmed either. She began to relax a little.

Champagne in hand, they began to explore. Lights were strung in the trees and along the paths, and waiters circulated with trays of food and drinks. They had tried for a magical effect, and if she hadn’t known what real magic could do, she might have been overawed by it all; but here on this beautiful summer night, with her soon-to-be lover by her side, she felt ready for anything. In one room there was soft music and low lights, in another a stand-up comedian was performing, and in yet another there was a band playing dance music. More than one band, Sebastian told her, “Let’s visit them all, and then we, can take our time. We have the whole night, and then a champagne breakfast tomorrow morning.”

“Are we allowed to sleep at all?”

“Nope. Anyone found sleeping will be thrown in the river. Oh look, there’s James with Tessa. Hi, James, have you seen what they’ve done to the Master’s garden? Tessa, you look lovely.” Sebastian bent and kissed her hand, but she didn’t seem too impressed. She was staring at Felicity, eyes wide.

“You’re a dark horse,” she said. “Most of the time you try to be invisible, and then suddenly you’re covered in diamonds. That must be worth a fortune!”

“What? Oh no, you mean the little jewels? They’re not real. And it’s only a loan.” They were all staring now, and Felicity did not know what to say. She didn’t know Tessa very well, and couldn’t tell whether there was mockery or just plain curiosity in her voice.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.