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Rolling my eyes, I stomp back towards the ballroom.
12
EDEN
The stupid hallways of this manor all look the same. Hiking up my skirts, I march back the way I came.
Somehow, I found my way to the dining room instead of my bedchamber. It doesn’t help that Phillion seems to have disappeared at some point during the ball.
I hope he’s at least outside getting the carriage ready for us. Meera must’ve told him by now that I want to leave. Maybe I’ll bump into him carrying all of my things outside.
Turning down another corridor, I breathe a sigh of relief as I recognise the layout of this hallway. It’s only two more rights, then a left, and then—
“Oh William, you’re devious!” a woman’s giggle echoes down the walls.
My gaze pauses on a small corridor to my left. It’s the same corridor I ran down last night when I found Lady Charlotte and her husband…
The woman giggles again, and I step towards the sound.
But as I turn the corner, I slap my hand over my mouth.
Lady Charlotte is pressed against the wall, her bright ginger curls a waterfall over her practically nude torso, while her husband, William, has his face buried between her breasts.
When Charlotte finally notices me, she turns as pink as a raspberry. “Eden!” She shoves her husband off her and fumbles with her bodice. “What a lovely surprise.”
William takes his time to saunter back a half-step. “Can we help you princess?”
I stammer, “Sorry, I was just… um—”
“There’s no need to apologise,” Charlotte laughs, lacing up her top while William’s stare makes me feel two inches tall. “Stop scaring her.” She swats at her husband. “She’s just a baby.”
“An annoying baby.” He takes Charlotte’s hand. “We should go. We’ll be late for Castor’s party.”
“Castor’s party?” I can’t help myself.
“It’s invite only,” William sneers over his shoulder. “Not for innocent princesses.”
My jaw clenches.
“Oh stop it, William.” Charlotte glares at him before addressing me. “Prince Castor usually holds a private party after every ball for society members only. We all wear masks and… enjoy each other’s company.” She giggles. “It’s lots of fun and every couple is allowed to bring a third if they’d like.”
“Lottie,” he warns. “We are not inviting—”
“I’ll come,” I say before he can argue. Maybe it’s the leftover wine. Or maybe I’m just really, really tired of men telling me what I can and can’t do today.
Besides, if I’m leaving tonight then I ought to collect a few more stories to tell my sisters. If I’ve been to a secret society, whatever that even may be, they’ll all be gathered in my bedchamber like the little nosy beasts they are, desperate to hear everything.
“I want to come.” I step towards them as Charlotte eagerly takes my hand. “I won’t be a bother. I promise,” I add when William rolls his eyes.
“It’s settled then.” Charlotte grins, leading us down the hallway. “We’ll find you a mask. I probably have a spare one in our room somewhere. I’ll find you a more suitable gown too. We look about the same size so you can borrow one of mine.”
I glance nervously at the revealing neckline of her midnight black gown. The black silk barely covers her nipples while its tight skirt hugs the curves of her rear. “Can I not just wear my own dress?” I ask, quite liking the idea of keeping my breasts inside my gown.
William snorts. “Again, this society is really not for innocent prin—”
“You can wear whatever you’re comfortable in,” Charlotte says to me while glaring at him. “I just think you might be more comfortable in something else. It’s this way, Eden.” She leads me up a small staircase. “I can call you that, right, Eden? I’d like for us to be very good friends,” she says, but there’s a strange lilt to her voice.
“That’s fine,” I laugh quietly, trying to push away the silly thought that Charlotte may want to see me in a gown like hers for the exact same reason that Lux or Castor would.
