Chapter Nineteen

That’s right.

Mira realized that was the same situation as that of the Crown Princess and Prince Andrei, even though the princess didn’t seem inclined to countermand his biological father unless Andrei requested it, as he had in the case of the annulment. “Is that a common practice?” she asked.

“Only among families who control large territories,” Nanny said, patting Mira’s cheek fondly. “Your Lord Father asked me to pass you a message,” she added. “He sends his love and promises that he will soon have an answer for the insult that the Fenby family paid you. He would also like to arrange a meeting, once the inscription is finished and the doctors feel it’s safe to stimulate your memories. Until then, he’ll be residing with his in-laws in the Gold Quarter, but he hopes that he will be welcome in the townhouse as soon as it’s safe.”

That would be soon, too. Mira had an appointment that afternoon for a temporary inscription so they could test the design before the final version was applied.

“I don’t think we have space to accommodate Viola or Raoul without asking Cecily or Vesper to give up their room,” Mira replied carefully. In point of fact, she didn’t want her stepmother in her house at all, much less that woman’s children. Her memories of Madame Coventry were vague, but still undeniably hostile —and she wasn’t exactly a treat to deal with in the game either.

Fortunately, Nanny shook her head with an understanding glint in her eye. “Madame remained behind at the Fortress along with Miss Viola and her brother. She says they are occupied with summer homework and preparing for next term.”

“Summer homework?” Mira frowned, briefly distracted. “Cecily didn’t mention having any.”

Nanny coughed delicately. “Miss Cecily has already finished hers by working in the evenings after dinner. She asked me to post her last report earlier in the week. She has been very diligent in her studies once Lady Vesper was able to re-purchase her school books and supplies.”

So the Baron turned her out without letting her take even that much with her? Mira rolled her eyes. Typical. “Is she adequately supplied for the school year?”

“Yes, miss,” Nanny said and softened a bit. “I ordered her uniforms along with the rest of her clothes and shoes. Ginger will accompany her to the fittings. I’ve given them a petty cash chit for cab fares, snacks, and tips as well.” Nanny paused for a moment and then looked around. When she turned back to Mira, she pitched her voice low. “She’s not what I expected. The papers made it sound like—well, I shan’t pass on what they had to say.”

“They’ll say anything that they think will sell copies,” Mira replied, blandly. “She did tell me that she thought her former stepbrothers were behind the harassment at school. I expect she was, and correctly so, too afraid of her stepfather to accuse them.”

“Some people ought to not become parents,” Nanny sniffed disparagingly. “I wasn’t sure about her at first and I’m still worried about the fourth Prince inviting himself over on her behalf, but on her own…” Nanny let the statement hang.

Yes, on her own, Cecily was a joy to have around, especially as she warmed up to her sisters and started to show a bit of personality; her sense of humor, empathy, and diligence. Ginger did a lot to settle her mistress down too, just by being there. Suddenly, Cecily couldn’t silently volunteer herself to make tea or serve lunch when she had a maid there who could, would, and did pout cutely at Cecily for ‘stealing her work.’ Ginger was just cheeky enough to pull that level of insubordination off and still make it look friendly.

Mira had overheard Nanny introducing the girl to Anna and Vesper’s staff, but she also heard the old woman give Ginger strict instructions to help her mistress adjust to her new rank by whatever means necessary; by hook or by crook, whichever worked.

At the very least, Mira knew from the game that Ginger made an excellent confidant for Cecily. It probably helped that she had someone she wasn’t beholden to that she could talk with. Poor kid. Her life was in upheaval right now and it wasn’t likely to stop soon.

“Are we on schedule to relocate to the townhouse?” Mira asked.

Magic really made a difference when it came to home renovations. Colvin took full advantage of the fact that Cecily would happily sit in the room with her knitting or coursework while Mira slogged through her readings, and lit a fire underneath the tradesmen working in the townhouse. Mira told him that relocating wasn’t urgent, but he seemed to disagree.

“The hotel is a public space, miss,” was all he’d say. “There is more that we can legally do to secure a private residence and ensure your privacy.”

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By that, she took him to mean that a reporter had been spotted hanging around the hotel and he didn’t want to admit it out loud. It wasn’t like he was wrong, though. Mira knew she was on borrowed time before either the newspapers or an enemy found out where she was staying. If the newspapers found her then they’d likely find out about Cecily and if her love interests found out about that then every last one of them would be on her doorstep within the hour.

“Yes, miss,” Nanny said. “Anna sent the last of your belongings out with Mr. Adelram this morning. Lady Vesper has relocated her office already and her maids are packing her personal belongings now. Ginger and Lady Vesper’s staff will close down the suite while you see the doctors. Then we’ll go directly to the townhouse from the Royal Hospital and hopefully lose anyone who has been watching the hotel in the process.”