"Why would I get to know them if I have no interest in marrying them?It's dishonest."
"Because you never know when their friendship might be beneficial to you.I'd tell you just to make sure you don't flirt with them, but I don't think that's a problem."
"Veronica says I don't know how to flirt."
Kathryn looks over to our sister briefly before turning back to me."Maybe not in the courtly way, but that doesn't mean you can't flirt," she responds."It just means that you need to be with the right person to flirt with."
"That doesn't make any sense," I murmur.
"Then don't worry about it.And if you need any other pointers about dealing with Mama, then you can ask your pastry chef to send us a tray to my room and we can talk."She gives me what I think is a reassuring smile.
"Thank you."I sit back in my seat, my mind whirring from all of the things she's told me, even if I don't fully understand all of them.
It is nice to feel as if my sisters are on my side, even if Mama doesn't seem to be.
Chapter8
I'm exhausted by the time Mama finally allows me to leave the parlour, and a quick look at the clock reveals that it's nearly eleven.
Disappointment worms its way through me.Nate will be done for the night and will have already gone to bed, especially because I know he has to be up early in order to bake for breakfast.
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes.I don't know how to fix this.I want to spend time with him, but with Mama insisting that I'm supposed to stay at events until they end, there doesn't seem to be any way to do that.It's not like I can come down in the middle of the day anymore.I used to do that, but that was when he was the baker's son and nowhere near as important as he is now.I know that I can't be his first priority, even if it stings that it's true.
I push the thoughts aside.I spent five and a half years baking without him, I know that I'm perfectly capable of doing that.Maybe I can even make something that I can leave for him to have for his own breakfast in the morning.It will have to be something quick, especially as I have to be up early for an appointment with the seamstress myself, but I like the idea of doing it and letting him know that I'm thinking about him even when I'm not with him.
The kitchens are nearly dark, without even a spit boy to tend to the fire.With the gas ovens they put in a few years ago, it's been possible to stop the practice and let everyone get some sleep at the same time.From what Nate's told me, it's a welcome change.
I frown as I notice a brighter light coming from the smaller kitchen that's now become Nate's base, but is where we've always done our baking together.Maybe he left one of the lamps on in case I came down to bake after he'd gone to bed.That's a really sweet thing for him to do.
It isn't until I reach the door that I realise I'm wrong about why the light's on, and he turns around."Good evening, Evie.No Ember?"Nate asks.
"Nate?What are you doing here?"I respond."And no, she was asleep in my fire, so I left her there."From experience, I know that it's better to do that than have a grouchy dragon on my hands.
He raises an eyebrow."I imagine I'm here for the same reason you are."
"Because you need a break from my mother so you don't scream?"I ask.
He laughs."All right, not exactly the same reason.I'm here to bake with you."
"It's late."
"I know how to read the time, Evie."
"I meant that it's late for you to still be here.Don't you need to be up early in the morning?"I don't want him to be too tired.
"I can go if you want me to."He waves at the door.
I step forward without even thinking about it."No."
"I thought as much."He smiles and reaches out to pull me into his arms."I'm here because I want to be.I know what time it is.Some things are more important than sleep."
"But..."
"But nothing.There are some advantages to being the person in charge, and one of them is that I don't have to get up anywhere near as early as I used to.Which means I can be here with you for a bit."He leans in and kisses my forehead.
I lean my head against his chest and let the steady beat of his heart calm me."But I don't want to keep you up too long."
"I have some fairly quick ideas, though you'll have to wait until tomorrow to eat it."
