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They lived their wholes lives in this protective shroud, waiting for the day they would marry.
Some time during the masquerade, the Maidens would be taken away. Led into a different place for a different ceremony—one kept secret, except for those involved.
For now, Olivia guarded them with a seriousness that revealed her staunch belief in the system with which she was embedded. Even though this was a formal event, she was still wearing her signature grey business suit.
Her sharp eye took in Summer, then she met my gaze, and gave me a single nod. There was pride in that look.
In her mind, she’d taken a chaotic little creature and turned her into something graceful and useful. She had no idea that Summer had only learned how to don her mask better.
I averted my gaze, turning my back to her coldly.
"Why, Miss Summer Duvall, I never thought I'd see the likes of you here."
"Hello," Summer answered with a tight smile.
"I didn't think it was possible for you to be so beautiful, but I declare, you clean up good. Real good."
Even though her cat mask covered her whole face, I recognized Caroline Dutton—the blonde looking for a husband at Douglass’ wake.
“Thank you," Summer nodded politely, trying to walk off, but Caroline clasped her arm, forcing her to stop. "You remember Mrs. Stetson?” Caroline nodded at the woman standing next to her—the same one who’d been with her at the wake. Easily recognizable with her grey hair pulled into a bun.
"Yes," Summer's voice was cold, "I could never forget Mrs. Stetson.” Though she was respectful, Summer’s whole body was tense.
"Of course not,” Mrs. Stetson said stiffly, looking down her nose at Summer, “I’ve known you since you were a child.”
"I'm sorry to hear of your husband's passing," Summer sounded genuine. "He was always nice to me."
"Hmmph," Mrs. Stetson’s thin lips pinched together, as if she disapproved of her husband's kind behavior, and glanced away. “Of course he would die on me so soon. Before I was inducted into the society.”
Summer's lips parted in surprise. "I didn't realize you were trying to get into the Magnolia."
"Of course!" The elderly lady huffed, "For all my life, but Reginald would never introduce me." Mrs. Stetson may have a lineage that goes back for centuries in the south, but her family wasn’t wealthy. She'd always relied on her husband's money for any kind of claims. The Veritas had required him to vouch for her, which, apparently, he hadn’t.
He was a lot smarter than she was willing to give him credit.
“But surely, as a new member," Caroline cut in, a bright smile to her face, "and the most beautiful one at that, you could vouch for two established members of the community, couldn't you?"
Summer glanced at me, a smile frozen on her face but I could sense the apprehension underneath it.
To the public, the Magnolia was an exclusive and prestigious society. The people of Lowcountry had no idea of the dark underbelly that they admired and worshiped so much.
Summer bit down on her lip, glancing away, “I’m so new, I don't think..."
As much as I wanted to throw these two women to the wolves, Summer seemed to want to keep them away from the dangerous society. She was too kind.
“Of course you can, darling," Mrs. Stetson interjected, her tight, grey bun stretching her eyes in a pinched look. I think the woman hadn't smiled in a hundred years.
They both crowded Summer, who took a step back and into my chest, her hand going to mine.
I clasped it tight and placed my other hand on her hip possessively. Giving her the support she needed, but letting her fight her own battle.
Caroline blinked, as if noticing me for the first time. "Is that you, Rook Craven, through that wolf mask? Are you Summer's chaperone tonight?"
“Her date," I clarified.
Her eyes went to my hand, then, widening, went back to Summer. Then ping-ponged back to me with a look of incredulity. “You chose her?” You could hear the contempt in her voice.
“How could I not? She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, inside and out.” Pulling off my mask and letting it drop to the ground—I was done with this charade—I turned Summer’s face to me, and kissed her. Slowly, gently, my whole attention on her and not caring about the gasps of disbelief.
