Page 40 of The Cursed and the Broken
The thoughts haunted me all morning, even as I pasted on a smile for my sister. She deserved to be happy and I wouldn’t let my worries ruin her excitement.
“Can you believe it?” she sighed blissfully as she twirled her skirts. “Nine suitors this morning alone. Nine!”
Her dress was lavender today, cinched daringly with a white corset dressed in beautiful flowers in the traditional Magyar style. With her ringlets and rosy cheeks, she was a vision. It was no wonder the men clamoured for her attention. We’d been receiving gifts all day—jewellery, flowers, silks.
Eszter loved pretty things and adored being doted on—always had. Women in our day were rarely afforded the luxury of love with marriage, so, when suitors of good stock came calling, she set her standards high. The most charming, the wealthiest, and by the gods’ graces, the most handsome of her suitors.
Her dreams lay in comfort and status. Romance was an afterthought.
I scoffed. Sometimes I forgot how different we were. “Half of them were balding, overweight, or ready to keel over. They’re old enough to be your grandfather, for gods’ sakes. You can’t seriously be considering a future with those withered old co—”
“Kitarni,” she gasped. “We can’t afford to be picky. Either I stay in this village forever, with little in the way of prospects, or I find myself on the arm of a wealthy, respected nobleman.”
“Please tell me the wealthiest of all wasn’t our sweaty friend who sought a dance with you all night. What’s his name? Earl Rikard Boros.”
She winced. “He was quite sweet. A real—err—gentleman.”
“Ah-huh. And when it comes time for him to put those sweaty paws on you?” She opened her mouth, but I waved a hand. “No, don’t answer. We aren’t entertaining the notion. I’ll not leave your virtue in the hands of … that. I saw the way his eyes wandered. You cannot marry that man. I forbid it.”
Eszter wilted in relief. “I wouldn’t have said yes …”
“What about your embroidery? You’re talented, Eszter. I’ve seen the designs you’ve hidden. Rather poorly, I might add. They’re incredible. You could open your own store like you wanted.”
She pursed her lips and sighed. “Do you really think so?”
I didn’t miss the longing in her eyes. Tugging her skirts so she tumbled onto the couch beside me, I took her hands in my own. “Yes,” I replied firmly. “I really do. And then you wouldn’t need to marry any of those old fools.”
“Well …” she dragged out the word as she contemplated. “My talents would be wasted were I to stay locked behind high walls all day.”
“Exactly. Besides, if you decide to marry, it should be to someone young and handsome. Someone who will show you the world, bring joy and love to your life.” I paused, my tone turning devious. “You know, I saw you dancing with some handsome young men at the festival. Perhaps a little green, but still from good stock.”
“Oh, yes,” she sighed dreamily. “I could have danced all night.”
“Youdiddance all night. A few too many times with a deliciously handsome young man with dark skin. Impeccable manners, charming, well-dressed? A jawline that could cut glass and an arse that wore the heck out of those pants? I think a certain someone mentioned the man’s name was Lukasz. Any of this sound familiar?”
“I …” Her cheeks flushed as she looked away, smoothing her skirts.
Grinning, I sidled up next to her, poking her in the ribs. “Gods. You like him, don’t you?”
“He was quite charming. But he hasn’t called on me.” She slumped into my lap. “I really thought we’d connected but—”
“Did you kiss him?”
She blinked at me. “No. What—”
“Men enjoy the chase as much as the victory. Let the other suitors try to win your favour. Go for walks in public, have a picnic, spend as much time as possible being wooed in front of Lukasz. When he sees you lapping up the attentions of other men, he’ll come running.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Winking, I patted her hand. “Call it womanly intuition. When he asks for your hand, don’t say yes, either. String him along. Make him work for it. Dante said his brother will be staying to oversee the village’s defences, but I suspect he has another reason.”
“You really are devious,” she replied with a smile. Then quieter, she added, “I’m going to miss you.”
“Find yourself a táltos and you won’t have to.”
I’d meant it as a joke, but my words resonated and her eyes widened, a gleam in her eye that hadn’t been there before. “I hadn’t even thought of that.”
Smoothing out her curls, I placed a gentle kiss on her brow before pulling away. “It was a joke, sister. Let’s just make the most of today. We’ll stay up late, tell stories, gossip about your suitors and eat sweets. And when I’m gone? I’ll write, we’ll visit each other. It won’t be so bad, I promise.”
