Honestly, what was going on?
I’d come to the parlor at Nadir’s urging. Of course, both he and Abel were there. And Abel kept on groveling, begging for forgiveness.
What was I supposed to do?
“Um,” I began, “please, take a seat. On a chair.” I wasn’t the host, so it wasn’t my place to say that, but I couldn’t help myself.
At my request, Abel immediately lifted his head.
“You speak so gently to me, despite the awful things I said to you yesterday,” Abel whimpered. “Oh, Lady Brianna...”
Was it just me, or was there the faintest hint of fascination in his gaze? Hopefully he wasn’t getting the wrong idea.
“Hey,” Nadir snapped, grabbing Abel by the collar and forcing him to sit down. “It’s rude to stare.”
Abel shifted in his chair, turned to me once more, and lowered his head. “I truly am sorry for the unspeakably rude things I said.”
“Oh, um, er,” I stammered, “I went too far too, so I’m sorry as well.” I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what was happening, but I figured I should apologize too.
Abel’s eyes grew misty. “I’d heard of Nadir’s engagement and wondered who his chosen might be,” he explained. “When I realized that was you, well, I wanted to unmask you. I’d heard stories about you before.”
Stories? What stories? Wait, no, I could imagine what stories, and they couldn’t be anything good. It was best not to ask.
“You were watching out for your friend’s best interests, I imagine,” I said. Abel’s words suggested he really did see Nadir as a friend. I would’ve never imagined Nadir of all people could have a friend like this.
Abel let out a low, whiny sound. “I’m sorry... I thought my friend was being tricked by a gold-digging hussy...”
“You really didn’t need to say it in so many words,” I replied. So that was how people saw me. A gold-digging hussy. I knew it. Expected it, even!
“So having heard of your ill repute and knowing that my friend had never shown any interest in women before,” Abel continued, “when I saw you two together, I thought I had to open his eyes!”
Did he have to keep disparaging me as he apologized? Honestly! Was I supposed to be happy or sad?
Abel kept his head low as he continued his desperate attempt at an explanation. “I didn’t know about your circumstances, Lady Brianna. To think you’ve been struggling so much...” He sobbed. “So much...”
And now he was crying.
In stark contrast to my panic and inability to comprehend what was happening, Nadir remained perfectly composed.
Abel sobbed once more. “At least allow me to invite you to dinner as an apology—”
“Ben,” Nadir said, “I believe it’s time for our guest to go.”
“What?” Abel replied. “Don’t be so heartless, Nadir!”
At Nadir’s request, Ben, the young butler, came over and began to drag Abel out of the house.
“I’ll invite you to dinner yet!” Abel yelled, his voice fading as he was hauled farther away. “Mark my wooords!”
That had been loud and clear. He really wanted to invite me to dinner. Well, if the food was any good, I might just go...
“That’s a no on the dinner,” Nadir said flatly.
Well, if my employer forbade it, then no dinner for me.
“So, do you get it?” he said.
“Get what?” I asked.
“You saw Abel just now. Do you think people think ill of you?”
“No, actually. If anything, I think I’m...held in high regard?” That had to be the case, right? Why would the man have apologized so fervently otherwise?
“Our engagement gave rise to concerning gossip, no doubt,” Nadir said, “but things seem to have taken a positive turn.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Indeed, having seen Abel’s reaction, I could tell that things were going well. What I couldn’t tell was why.
“People are more driven by emotion than you’d think,” Nadir mused.
“Pardon?”
“To nobles, who live in the lap of luxury, the story of a young girl rising from unfortunate circumstances is deeply moving.”
“Pardon?”
Nadir grinned. “Rumor had it you were trying to marry rich, yes, but no one knew why. They only saw you as a money-hungry seductress. Now, however, the reason behind that rumor has come to light.”
My eyes widened at the word “reason.” Was he saying—
“Brianna, the money-hungry seductress, is actually hard at work for her parents’ sake, trying to repay their debt. She’s a caring daughter, who’s been judged only by her looks. A commendable young lady, who has kept her chastity in spite of everything.”
“Eek! Nooo!”
Now everyone was talking about how I was still a virgin! Well, I mean, I was, but that wasn’t the point! That wasn’t the kind of thing one wanted people talking about!
“Your reputation has soared,” Nadir said. “Good for you.”
“That’s hardly comforting!” It was embarrassing!
“And thanks to that,” he continued, “I’m now seen as the hero who rescued a damsel in distress from her cruel fate.”
“Wow,” I mumbled. “You’re tricking them all...”
“And to top it all off, the story goes that we’ve known each other since childhood and have been in pure, innocent love since.”
The words “pure, innocent love” couldn’t have been further from the truth. For them to even be associated with this man was a travesty!
“People are bound to treat you kindly from now on,” Nadir said.
I sniffled. “I don’t want to ever leave the house again.”
“You’ll stay in debt forever, then.”
This fiend!
“Fine!” I snapped. “I’ll go! You want me to go somewhere, I’ll do it!”
“Good,” he said. “Then let us depart.”
Wait. Right now?
“Wait,” I replied. “I just cried! I must look like a total mess!”
“Oh yes,” Nadir agreed. “You look absolutely awful.”
“Can I deck you in the face?” I asked, raising my fist.
“If you deck me in the face and leave a bruise, people will start saying you’re a violent ogress instead.”
I lowered my fist. I couldn’t risk my precious uptick in reputation over simple embarrassment!
“Relax,” Nadir assured me. “We’re not going to a party this time.”
“Then where?” I asked, blinking and rubbing my still-teary eyes.
Nadir gave me an amused smile. “You’re accompanying me on an inspection.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Despite my suggestion that it would’ve been best not to make a public appearance with a face that very obviously betrayed the fact I’d been crying, Nadir had told me the decision had already been made. Not only that, he’d said I’d cried of my own will, so that was my problem and not his. Listen, anyone would’ve cried if they’d thought their life was over, okay?!
Either way, here I was now, in a carriage with Nadir heading toward this inspection site. Oh, and Ben was riding with us too.
What kind of cruel world was this, where looking unsightly from bawling one’s eyes out wasn’t enough of a reason to avoid going somewhere?
“Do I really need to come?” I asked. “It isn’t as though I know what to do there. Can’t I go home?”
“I want to make it known I’m engaged,” Nadir replied. “You can stand there and do nothing. It is a noblewoman’s duty to be at her husband’s side and smile.”
I wasn’t very good at that kind of thing, though. In fact, I’d much rather be given something to do than sit still, I thought as I gazed out the window.
The carriage came to a stop.
“Let’s get off,” Nadir said, extending a hand to me.
So he can be a gentleman when he wants to, I thought as I quietly took it.
It dawned on me that we were somewhere I was very familiar with. “Huh? This place is...”
“An orphanage, yes. I figured a place like this would be easier on you, since you’re not used to these outings yet.”
Ah, that made sense. Indeed, to a beginner, a place like this would be a better choice than, say, a business.
As I looked at the orphanage, feeling nostalgic, Nadir quickly made his way inside. Rude! He should’ve been escorting me all the way!
Quickly, I followed after him.
“We’ve been waiting, my lord,” said a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time.
“It’s been a while, Matron,” Nadir replied. “I’m here for today’s inspection.”
“Ah, yes, one was indeed scheduled.” The woman he’d referred to as “Matron” turned her gaze to me. “And who might this be?”
I took a step forward to stand next to Nadir. “I am Brianna, Lord Nadir’s fiancée,” I said nervously, wondering if she’d recognize me. The matron stared at me intently for a moment before her eyes lit up.
“Well, well, if it isn’t little Anna!”
Ah, so she did remember!
She smiled radiantly at me, gripped my hand, and looked at one specific spot of my body. “You’ve grown a...surprising amount!”
Yes, yes. I too was surprised by the sheer amount of growth my chest had experienced.
Her demeanor melted my worries away, and I took a deep breath, smiling warmly at the woman who had raised me until age seven. “It’s been a long time, Matron—I mean, Mama.”
It had been twelve years since I’d last stepped foot in this place.