Page 26 of The Pureblood Princess
“What?” Lady Rosetti shares a conspiratorial smile with Nadia before crossing the room and taking a seat beside her on the settee. She lets out a sigh. “It’s true: the gala will not be as... civilized as what you’re used to. But there’s nothing to be nervous about. We’ll be with you the whole time, and everyone will be delighted to meet you.”
And that is exactly what has Nadia worried. For a wallflower such as herself, being the center of attention is akin to someone who’s afraid of heights standing atop a tower. She wishes briefly that the brotherhood had never found out about her so that she may have avoided the attention, but it’s too late for that now—and besides, she’s to be married before them, so she’d best get used to their eyes on her.
“How do they even know about me?” Nadia asks, and it’s Mrs. McDonald who turns to answer her.
“The brotherhood has eyes and ears everywhere, dear. You can scarcely sneeze without them finding out about it.” She squints at a number on her measuring tape, then jots something down in her notebook. “And everyone has been talking about you. It was only a matter of time before they reached out to make your acquaintance themselves.”
“Who are they?” Nadia asks as the modiste waves Contessa down from the dressing platform.
“Elders, mostly,” Lady Rosetti says. “They are the heads of nine powerful pureblood families, and they rule over all the vampires in this country.”
Nadia considers that for a moment, then looks to the countess, her head tipped to the side. “Aren’t you a powerful family?”
Contessa laughs, one hand on her hip as she reaches for another cake with the other. “They asked Father, but he turned them down.”
“You know your father isn’t one for politics,” Lady Rosetti says, but something in her tone makes Nadia study her more closely.
“They didn’t ask you to join them?” she says, and the countess’s smile is polished, practiced.
“No, they didn’t. I married into this family, after all, and my birth clan was not near so renowned. They had no interest in me.”
“A poor decision if there ever was one,” Contessa says, sinking into an armchair and draping her bare legs over the armrest. Her olive skin appears dewy as she tips her head back and lets the sun streaming through the windows shine upon her face. “Mother would’ve made a splendid politician. You saw her with the Kazamirs, after all.”
Lady Rosetti gasps, but Nadia and Mrs. McDonald both laugh.
“Oh please, Mother, you know they’re insufferable.” Contessa purses her lips and rolls her eyes. “Honora would’ve stripped Theo naked right on the dining table if we’d given her the chance. Thank goodness she won’t be marrying into the family now. Dirty little seductress.”
“Contessa! That’s quite enough!” the countess snaps. “You shouldn’t say such things.”
The women all look to Nadia, seeming equal parts shamefaced and titillated to be sharing such gossip.
“It’s all right,” Nadia says, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “I saw it too—she made sure of it.”
Contessa lets out a groan. “Ugh, I can’t stand her. Don’t let what that wench said get to you.”
“What did she say?” Mrs. McDonald asks, pouring herself a cup of tea before taking a seat in an armchair, her eyes alight with the excitement of shared gossip.
Contessa and Nadia exchange a glance, and Nadia holds her breath. Engaged or not, she’s sure the countess would not be pleased to know what she and Theodore have been up to—and she’d be even less pleased to discover that Honora Kazamir knows about it.
“Honora is upset that Theo is engaged, and she made sure to let Nadia know. But I’m telling you, Nadia, there’s nothing to worry about. Bond or no bond, my brother is madly in love with you. Nothing is getting in the way of that.”
“I’m not worried, I assure you,” Nadia says, though she’s not so sure her words or her smile convince the attentive women. She lifts the wineglass to her lips and takes a deep drink, trying to chase Honora’s cruel smile from her mind. “Now, I believe it’s my turn, Mrs. McDonald. Shall we get started?”
Chapter Ten
“Grant me strength, Octavia,” Nadiawhispers, offering her mare a sugar cube. “For I will certainly need it in these coming days.”
Octavia plucks the cube from Nadia’s outstretched palm with gentle lips, crunching the delectable treat, then breathes warm, sweet-smelling air onto Nadia’s face. It makes her smile, and she runs a hand down Octavia’s dished snout, relishing her warmth on this gray autumn day. Being in Octavia’s presence lends Nadia some comfort, though her stomach still twists with the thought of walking into a ballroom full of vampires.
“Thank you, my friend. I’ll miss you. Be good while I’m gone.” She presses a kiss to the horse’s nose, then turns just as Lord Rosetti appears from the manor.
“There you are,” he says, smiling as he approaches the paddock where Nadia stands. “We’re almost packed up. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, my lord.” Nadia dips her head politely, then casts her gaze to Octavia once more, watching as the mare trots off to join the herd.
“Nervous, are we?” Lord Rosetti leans his arms on the paddock fence and looks down at Nadia.
She nods shyly, and the earl smiles.
