Page 30 of Rivals
“Of course not.” Nina’s outfit wasn’t actually a cocktail dress, but she didn’t bother correcting Sam. “I walked.”
“That’s even worse!”
“Why? It’s nice out, and it was only a quarter mile.”
“That’s not the point! You’ll show up at the event with sweat stains,” Sam spluttered. “And messy hair!”
“Like you just said, it’s a library event. No one will care what I look like. I’m just here to get Makayla’s signature and pig out on hors d’oeuvres.”And see Jeff,Nina didn’t say aloud.
Samantha groaned. “You brought books with you, didn’t you?”
“Only one book!” Nina said defensively. “What else was I supposed to do? I’m not going to be one of those weird fans who ask an author to sign a body part.”
Sam chuckled. “Nina—I hate to cut this short, but I actually need to go get ready. I’m having dinner with Marshall’s family tonight.”
“That’s great!” Nina was excited for Sam and Marshall; their relationship was clearly getting more serious.
“Anyway, have fun nerding out! Love you,” Sam told her before hanging up.
When Nina reached the library’s front steps, she paused. The building felt different than usual tonight, its iconic stone columns bathed in the glow of the party lights, making it all seem like a mirage. Inside, she heard the raised voices and laughter of the usual gala crowd—glamorous young people, all vying to outshine and outtalk and outmaneuver one another.
She’d been surprised when Jeff invited her to tonight’s event. He’d brought it up yesterday, over lunch in the dining hall. Nina had resolved not to mention the tailgate, but Jeff had asked about it right away.
“You left before I could say goodbye,” he’d ventured, casting her a curious glance. “Did you have fun?”
Nina wondered why no one had told him about her confrontation with Gabriella. Maybe Gabriella was embarrassed to admit she’d caused a scene.
“I had fun. Thanks for inviting me,” Nina told him. Jeff nodded, though she could tell he didn’t quite believe her.
Nina often couldn’t help feeling like they were enrolled at completely different schools. Jeff belonged to another side of King’s College, populated by the same people he’d known at his all-boys high school, and at court, and in every other corner of his wealthy, royal life. Nina didn’t have much in common with those people.
At least she could be certain that her friends liked her for her own sake, not because of what she coulddofor them.
“I have this event coming up for the Young Patrons of the Public Library,” Jeff had explained, setting down his fork. “I have to go on Beatrice’s behalf. Do you want to come?”
“That’s okay.” Nina had attended enough of these partieswith Sam to know that the Young Patrons—of every organization, whether it was the ballet or the museum or the wildlife conservation fund—were people who wanted tosee and be seen.They rarely cared all that much about their so-called cause.
“Are you sure? The guest of honor is Makayla Oyeney.”
“What?”Nina’s voice came out as a barely audible squeak. Makayla was the author of the Kingmaker series, a fantasy epic that had just been adapted into a hit TV show. Now the world was anxiously awaiting the sixth and final book.
“So you’ll come?” Jeff had asked.
“For the record, this is shameless bribery. But yes, absolutely.”
Now, as Nina glanced around the entrance hall, she felt acutely aware that she didn’t know anyone here. Women in couture dresses clutched champagne in thin-stemmed flutes; men in tailored suits laughed as they snatched Gruyère tartlets from passing trays. Nina’s flowy skirt and top felt too casual; she thought of Sam’s admonishment and resisted the urge to check her armpits for sweat stains.
She pulled out her phone, if only to look busy, and saw a notification bubble alerting her to a new email. Reflexively Nina clicked over to the message. As she read, her stomach seized in panic.
Ms.Gonzalez:
We regret to inform you that we are terminating your status as a recipient of financial aid for the upcoming quarter. This year, King’s College saw a tremendous increase in the number of students receiving economic assistance, which forced us to reexamine the qualifications of our current financial aid students. Upon review of your family’s tax records, we have determined that your Expected Family Contribution does not qualify you to receive funding….
Surely this was a mistake. The schoolcouldn’tbe withdrawing her financial aid. Yes, Nina’s mamá worked for the government, but her perks came in the form of free housing—they lived in a grace-and-favor house, owned by the royal family—rather than a high salary. Nina wasn’t sure what her parents would do if asked to pay her tuition in full.
Numbly, she glanced back at the email. The message was signedThe King’s College Board of Trustees,followed by a list of eight names: Lady Ottoline Hereford, Guarav Mehta, Dr.Bernard Fjeld, and so on.
The final name on the list: His Grace, the Duke of Virginia. That is, Ambrose Madison.
