Page 3 of Summoner of Sins

“Tabbie,” Sophie said, nodding. “Miss Sophie Wren. A pleasure.”

Tabbie turned to extend a hand and that’s when Sophie noticed the scars that marked her left side. Her skin looked as though she’d been burned.

Sophie was no stranger to the cruelty of life, so she only smiled brighter, taking Tabbie’s hand. “I’m so pleased to meet you.”

“Oh look,” the blonde in pink trilled a laugh. “Tabbie made a friend. Isn’t that sweet? It’s Cinderella and the Beast.”

All of the blonde’s friends turned to stare at Tabbie and Sophie. Sophie’s face flamed as she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

But Tabbie only straightened up. “Spread your venom elsewhere, Elsa, or else I shall have to explain to your mother why your invitations to all the best events have been withdrawn.”

Elsa let out an indignant gasp, but she said no more as, chin high, she left the repose with the other women trailing behind her.

“Oh my…” Sophie said and then gulped. “How did you manage that?”

“My father is a marquess. As I manage our social calendar, I have a certain sway most ladies my age do not.”

Sophie nodded, staring at the door the women had just exited.

Tabbie sniffed as she settled back in the chaise. “At one time, I tried to be friends with Elsa. She and her friends were kind on the surface, but it became clear that their hearts are black after…” Tabbie pointed down to her scarred arm.

Sophie didn’t ask. They were too newly acquainted. “I’m sorry for their cruelty.”

Tabbie shook her head. “It matters not. I’ve learned a great deal about life and what sort of people are worth the time.” She gave Sophie a twinkling smile. “Tell me about yourself.”

“There isn’t much to tell. I’m enjoying the evening immensely, but I am certainly one of the women who does not belong. My uncle does not normally socialize, but he’s here by the invitation of Lord Whitehouse.”

Tabbie’s smile slipped and Sophie cocked her head. Had Tabbie’s demeanor changed because she realized that Sophie was not an actual debutante?

“Lord Whitehouse’s invitation?” Tabbie’s voice was neutral, but Sophie could sense the tension underneath.

“That’s right.”

“Have you met him?”

“I did briefly this evening.”

Tabbie relaxed again. “First time?”

“Yes. This is the first. So odd, because seeing them tonight, my uncle and Lord Whitehouse, they seem quite close. But he’s not been to my uncle’s house in the year I’ve lived there. I came after my mother…” Sophie stopped. Her chin dipped. She was doing that thing she often did where she let her tongue run away with her.

But Tabbie only sighed. “I lost my mother too. Dreadful, isn’t it?”

Sophie nodded. She didn’t ask for the details, she didn’t wish to pry. “It is indeed. But we’re very lucky that my uncle took us in. It could have been much worse.”

Tabbie nodded. “That is almost always true. It can always be worse.”

Sophie grimaced. She had this tendency toward attempted optimism that sometimes irritated those around her. “My apologies. I don’t know the circumstances of your loss. I…”

Tabbie gave her a soft look of appreciation. “Not at all. I have my father. I’m titled. You are an orphan apologizing to me about being too grateful. I was chastising myself.”

Sophie let out a long breath of relief. “I’m so glad to have met you, Tabbie. I’ve been missing friends since coming to London.”

“Do you not socialize with any other women our age?”

Sophie shook her head. In a move that was against her nature, she didn’t tell Tabbie how she cared for her sister or her uncle’s strange requests. Tabbie had been very kind; Sophie needn’t frighten the other woman away. “We’ve been settling in.”

“We?”

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