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As I entered the stately home, I beamed. I’d never called on Lord Bannister’s estate, but I would have done so if I had continued my social season unimpeded. I looked at the ladies in their beautiful gowns and the men in their dapper suits. No one was bare chested. No ladies were exposing their bodies. There were no heady dances or twinkling stars or dangerous drinks. There was no magnetic pull to the dance.

It was ordinary. It was boring.

No, I corrected myself. It was right.

When I stepped into that faerie circle, I had been exhilarated, yes, but I had also been a little frightened. These were my countrymen. This was where I belonged.

I moved carefully among the crowds. Despite Forrest’s snarky comment, I did not want to tread on anyone’s gown or shoes.

I heard a familiar voice ahead. It was my sister’s friend, Catie, and her mother. I hurried toward them. Perhaps, my sister was with her. The thought was too good to be true.

"Now, don’t you go running off tonight. I want you indoors at all times," Catie’s mother instructed.

Catie groaned. "But mother, it’s so terribly hot. I might wish to step out for a bit of air on the veranda between dances."

Her mother shook her head. "Don’t you dare let me catch you with a foot outside of this ballroom. Do you want to end up like Georgia?"

My breath caught at the mention of my name.

"Cast her lot in with some fae." She said the word fae with palpable disgust.

A sudden surge of protectiveness rose within me. Forrest, Harry, Rosie, and Hawthorne were people. There was nothing disgusting about them.

"Mother," hissed Catie. "That’s only a rumor. You shouldn’t repeat it."

Her mother scoffed. "The guards by the gate saw them go. They say she put up no fight. As far as I’m concerned, she went willingly. Just like that sister of hers. The whole family is wild and caught up in disgrace."

"Mother," she howled. "I adore Magnolia, and her father is the king. You can’t talk that way."

"King or not, I want you to stay away from that girl. The family has no moral standard."

Catie started to protest, but her mother plastered a false smile on her lips. "Now, then, my dear. Go and circulate."

Catie stormed off, and, before I knew it, she was inches away from walking straight into me. I could imagine how it would play out. She would fall to the floor. Yet, no one would see an impediment. It would look odd. It would raise suspicion.

I opened my mouth in an "o" of shock, preparing myself for the collision.

But seconds before its occurrence, hands encircled my waist, and I was pulled neatly back a step. My pulse quickened, and warm lips caressed my ear. "Careful, love."

I stood in shock. How could this be? I assumed my father would hide all mentions of my disappearance. I assumed there would be a story of my taking ill with hay fever. I never, ever expected such vicious rumors.

Did everyone else think this?

I ripped away from Forrest’s protective embrace, forgetting the shell in my pocket and tonight’s mission. Instead, I sought information. I passed men and women, dancing in step, and carefully weaved through them. Then I spotted them, Maribel and Circe, the two biggest gossips in the colony. They were talking about dress fashions.

Maybe everything was okay. If my name was in ruins, they’d certainly be talking about it. My breath came a little slower. Catie’s mom was just being suspicious due to her proximity to my family. My elder sister’s scandal was already common knowledge. Perhaps, she was just embellishing after not seeing me out and about.

Just then, I felt the energy in the room shift. The gossiping Circe and Maribel stopped talking and turned to stare. I followed their gaze and landed on my sweet Maggie.

She was dressed in a peach gown that matched the natural coloring in her cheeks. Her head was held high, but her eyes were distant.

Heads turned to watch her entrance. She was a princess, and tonight was her birthday. Still, something felt off.

Maribel whispered, "I can’t believe her father is permitting her out of the house."

"He must be truly desperate to make a marriage match."

Maribel considered Circe. "You know, perhaps, it is clever. He could marry her off before the scandal with his middle daughter is widely known."