Page 38 of Forsaken Secrets

16

Kaiya

Itapped my foot impatiently as the clock chimed ten times behind me. Lady Ellingsworth was running late. As always. She subscribed to the idea that an entrance was not fashionable unless it was also late.

"Kaiya, what's got you so out of sorts today? You can't sit still, and that's the fourth time you've yawned since you came in." Aunt Grace's voice was warm but curious as she sipped from a small teacup. There was a small chip by the handle, but it was the best we had.

"I can't get rid of this bad feeling about it all." I stood up, the delicate wooden chair creaking with relief behind me.

Letting out a breath, I looked at the rest of the room as Lady Ellingsworth would.

Worn furniture with fraying fabrics and faded wood, patterned walls empty but for the faded marks where pictures once hung, and moth-eaten curtains, arranged perfectly to hide the wear.

We'd worked hard for the past day, but this was as good as it would get.

"Why is she coming here?" I asked. "Doesn't that seem odd to you? She never comes to us."

Aunt Grace tilted her head, silver curls bouncing with the movement. "I suppose. But what can we really do about it? Besides, this way we get to reign over her." She held her head high and sniffed, looking remarkably like Lady Ellingsworth, then winked.

I let out a small laugh. "I'm sure you're right. Still, that woman's mind is devious enough to come up with something terrible," I said, and looked out the window again. The sky was a lovely shade of blue, with not a cloud in the sky.

If only I could be out there instead …

How was Eli's concussion? Had Lynk found any news on the missing Seekers? Was that what the Seeker meant yesterday? If so, was it somehow related to Lord Ellingsworth?

It didn't really matter, but I'd been so distracted yesterday that I'd just rushed home to help Sylvie prepare, completely bypassing the Harlsteds.

I hadn't even told Aunt Grace the rest of what had happened.

"Aunt Grace, I — "

She looked up at me, grey eyes curious, but before I could continue, a knock sounded at the door. I flew back to my chair, spreading my skirts and pasting a happy smile on my face before Sylvie opened it. Aunt Grace shook her head.

"Presenting the esteemed Lady Ellingsworth."

My mouth went dry, and I had to consciously force my hands to relax.

"Breathe." Aunt Grace's whisper made me sit straighter as the viper stepped through the door, shadowed by her ever-present man servant. Gods, he was tall! He even had to duck to walk through the door, and those doors were not short.

Today, she was dressed in a deep violet and bright yellow. It was obnoxiously bright, and I had to smother a grimace. Aunt Grace would never allow a client of hers to walk out in a design so unsuitable for their personality. Your clothes reflect you, so you'd better make sure they match you had always been her mantra.

I preferred not to think on what that meant about me and my unkept appearance …

"Lady Maderoth, Miss Maderoth." Lady Ellingsworth's sharp voice made my hair stand on end.

"Lady Ellingsworth," Aunt Grace and I said in unison, bowing our heads the exact minimum amount required by etiquette.

"Why, ladies, thank you for your hospitality. Such gracious hosts! And what a lovely home you have." Her voice was as sharp as the other day, but sounded even more smug. The nervous feeling in my chest intensified.

"Thank you, my lady. Please, sit." Aunt Grace's voice was smooth, but even I heard the chill in her tone.

Lady Ellingsworth shuddered. "Oh no. I shan't — besides, where could I even sit down in this room. I swear — you'd think you had no servants to keep things tidy around here."

I snuck a glance at Sylvie, hands clasped tightly in front of her, stormy expression on her face. We asked a lot of her, and she did her best … but an estate of this size required more help.

I wanted to punch Lady Ellingsworth in her smug face, or force her to live like the rest of us for a while, but I clenched my skirts tightly instead.

Aunt Grace would handle this, just like she always did.

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