Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Franny ambushed me as soon as I returned to the castle. Her gift was still tucked under one arm, but she didn’t even glance at it as she grabbed my hand and announced, “I desperately need your help!”

She tugged me down a random hall, looked both ways four times—apparently, she was even more paranoid about eavesdroppers than Madame—before whispering, “I’ve made a terrible mistake.”

Franny wasn’t usually the type to make vague, ominous statements, which made this all the more concerning. “What’s the matter?” Did it have something to do with Kit? If it did, was the ‘mistake’ actually my fault?

“Brendon keeps referring to letters he sent me,” Franny explained, “in the same way as a book we’re both familiar with. But I haven’t read any of them! At first, I could get away with only simple answers, but I think he’s starting to suspect. It would break his heart if he discovered I hadn’t even opened them.”

So, it wasn’t my fault. I’d have been more relieved if I wasn’t so confused. “Alright. So why don’t you just read them?”

“I don’t have time! Between last-minute wedding preparations and my normal duties, every hour of my day is planned. And I can’t read them at night because I fall asleep as soon as the day’s adrenaline dies down.”

“What do you expect me to do? Read them for you and summarize like some sort of book report?”

“Yes! That exactly!” she exclaimed, clutching my hand tighter. “I knew you would help me.”

“Wait, no, that wasn’t a serious suggestion—”

“I’ve already put them in your room,” she said as she finally dropped my hand and hurried down the hall.

“But I haven’t—”

She disappeared around the corner.

What the fuck, Fran? You want me to read your fiancé’s private letters? It was only worse knowing that I’d met the real Brendon and she hadn’t.

Wait, why was Kit quizzing Fran on the letters anyway? Did they suspect she had something to do with Brendon’s disappearance? Although Brendon had mentioned the letters, I couldn’t imagine why they would make Kit suspicious.

The only way to find out was to read them.

I dropped the gift off with one of Kit’s attendants—why couldn’t they have gone to pick it up in the first place?—and headed straight to my room. A large stack of letters sat on my desk next to a plate of cookies and a steaming cup of tea. At least she’d been considerate enough to provide me with reading fuel.

Sighing, I slumped into my desk chair and ran a hand down my face. With his reputation—and the way he’d teased me with his touch—I’d assumed Brendon was as free with his affections as Franny. The sheer number of letters in the pile showed a sincerity I’d never expected.

Putting the task off as long as I could, I sipped the tea and munched on a cookie. The liquid was pinker than usual, with loose leaves that hadn’t quite been strained out. They swirled in the cup, creating a little heart. The simple shape mocked me, reminding me I was about to read love letters meant for someone else. I drained the cup in three scalding gulps. It was also sweeter than usual, like someone had been a bit heavy-handed with the sugar. Making a face, I set the cup back down in its saucer, and picked up the first letter.