Page 30

It seemed that most people were clean, just completely unaware of the concept of color coordinating clothes. I smiled politely and curtsied to everyone I met, and was immensely relieved to see that no one was staring at me. With all the visual distractions around us, I would have been impressed if anyone could find me at all in this crowd.

Comfort and I wound our way through the halls until we found Mother. She was standing next to a man I assumed was Algernon. For having such an unfortunate name, he was handsome enough. Much thinner than Father, slightly shorter as well. His mustache was well-trimmed and he had a good-natured face.

“Is this your other daughter, Lenora dear?” he asked when he spotted us. If he was surprised by my face, he didn’t show it. Comfort and I dropped quick curtsies.

“Yes, she is,” Mother said, smiling. Any memory of my outburst seemed forgotten. “You haven’t met Truly yet.”

Algernon inclined his head, and I dropped another curtsy. “Your mother has told me so many wonderful things about you. Youngest translator for the king, yes?”

“Not for the king,” I corrected. “It was mainly foreign dignitaries.”

“And how many languages do you speak?” he asked.

“Five, sir,” I replied, uncomfortably aware of the people beginning to take notice of our conversation. I heard someone say ‘Five! She speaks five languages!’ in an awed voice, and the message was passed throughout the crowd.

“Remarkable!” Algernon praised. “And what other hobbies do you enjoy?”

“Reading, archery, horseback riding, and attending musical performances,” I answered in a rush, eager to be done talking so I could seclude myself in a forgotten corner and fade into the background.

“What an educated young lady you are,” Algernon said. “Just like your mother and older sister, I see.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I hope you can help my own daughter develop some of those skills as well. Have you met my Cynthia yet? She has been so eager to meet you.”

So he didn’t know yet. I was glad my experience as a diplomat had helped me develop the ability to gloss over any sticky situations. “Yes, I met her briefly this afternoon. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time together, but I look forward to getting to know her better.”

By now, a queue had formed of people waiting to congratulate Mother and her husband to be. I moved on, eager for someone else to take my place. All I wanted to do was stand in a dim corner and be overlooked.

My faint glimmer of hope was dashed, though. An older man approached me. “Pardon me, but did I hear correctly that you speak several languages?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And can you read and write in those languages as well?”

“Yes sir,” I repeated.

“Would it be too much trouble for you to assist me in translating a business proposal?” he asked, pulling from his satchel a lengthy scroll of parchment.

“Not at all! I would be happy to help,” I said eagerly. This was a perfect excuse to be removed from the festivities, and I secretly hoped that this older gentleman’s eyes were fading so he wouldn’t notice my face. I sat at a small table, and he sat opposite of me.

I spent the rest of the evening engrossed in meticulously copying his trade proposal into three different languages to be sent out to neighboring countries. My timing was good. I had finished just as Algernon was chivvying stragglers toward the door.

“My deepest thanks,” the elderly gentleman said, and pressed a silver coin into my hand. I hadn’t expected to be paid for my assistance, and tried to return the coin, but he insisted I had earned it, and left.

CHAPTER 25

The housekeeper stayed late, tidying up after all the festivities were over. Mother was making notes about who had brought which gift so thank you notes could be sent. Comfort was gathering up vases of flowers so the tables could be cleaned. Cynthia and Algernon were nowhere to be seen.

I began collecting the loose napkins and cutlery strewn about. As I carried them to the back of the house, I heard Cynthia’s raised voice. “But Dad, you don’t understand!”

“What is it I don’t understand?”

“She didn’t even accept my apology. She screamed at me and her mom—your future wife!”

“Well, I would be angry too, if I had been through what she has, then be ridiculed and called hideous by my new stepsister.”

“But, Dad, no one ever even told me what she looked like or why she looks that way! Nobody said anything about it, and she just waltzed right in with a messed-up face. Why is everyone mad at me for being surprised? Anyone would have been shocked. You should have seen her! It was like she was trying to look bizarre on purpose.”