Chapter Twenty Five

Randall was sitting tensely upright when Mira joined him in the sitting room with his hands braced on his knees. Colvin went in ahead of her to break the news that Delia had been by with a tea service and a tray of crustless sandwiches for him that he had yet to touch.

This love interest had the least fantastic coloration of the five. Randall had light brown hair and eyes the color of new spring leaves. He wore his hair a bit on the long side, but not long enough to pull back into a tail as Colvin did. He stood as soon as he caught sight of Mira.

“Senior Priestly,” he greeted her formally, although not with any warmth. “Thank you for allowing me the use of your drawing room.”

“It is no trouble,” she assured him and gestured for him to sit so she could too. The one bad thing about the inscription was that it made her tired all the time and would until she’d acclimated to it. Then, later, she’d get to do this all over again with the permanent version. “I am given to understand that you and Cece have been friendly since you were little.”

Randall blinked at her casual use of Cecily’s nickname, but he also relaxed a bit. “Our families are–or were historically close. I was alarmed by yesterday’s article in the Gazette and came to check on her. If you don’t mind a question, Senior, how long has she been living outside of her fa–away from Sir Rousseau’s house? It’s just that I’ve sent several letters to her since the beginning of the break and they were all returned.”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Mira admitted. “I do know that there was an altercation at some point between Cecily and her former guardian. He threw her out and it was around the time that the Temple of Eyes released their proclamation about the switched girls. She went to do her civic duty and it was discovered in the process that she belongs to the Coventry family. My older sister collected her from the Temple and we’ve all been sharing living space since the week before last.” She paused and, after a bit of thought, added, “I overheard the fourth prince tell her that he has also been having his messages returned to him. Cece also said that she requested for her letters to be held at the post office, but hasn’t received anything all summer. I’m beginning to think that the Baronet may have stopped her mail at the beginning of the break with the central post office.”

A brief flash of outrage rippled across Randall’s usually bland expression. He was the kind who always had a mild smile on his face, no matter what was going on, and so even his closest people sometimes forgot his capacity for violence. Mira hadn’t, though.

“You have my condolences,” Randall said unexpectedly. Maybe mentioning Andrei had reminded Randall of what happened and that he probably ought to say something polite about it. “Regarding the incident outside the Royal Hospital and the matter of your marriage. I am glad to see you are doing better now.”

“I’m still easily fatigued, but recovering,” Mira replied because Randall struck her a bit like Greer in that he probably liked it when people freely admitted to their problems and didn’t try to be secretive. “Or else I’d be out too.”

“My mother and father were appalled to learn of Sir Fenby’s behavior,” Randall replied. “They also send their regrets. They condemn the Fenbys’ behavior and will remember it in the future.”

“Thank you,” Mira said, feeling touched. It wasn’t a promise of retribution, but she did understand the sympathy they were offering her. “Your parents are very kind.”

“The same could be said for you, Senior Priestly,” Randall observed with a slow blink. “My family was very surprised to hear that you have accepted Cecily into your home, given everything that happened during the school year. I’m aware that you told the Gazette that you said that you have no personal grievances with her, but the fourth prince has placed you both in an untenable situation with his behavior.”

Mira wondered for a moment where Randall was going with this, but was enlightened almost immediately.

“My mother has always been fond of Cece…” Randall started, straightening up again before Mira held up a hand to make him stop.

“Thank you, Mister Zorander,” she said. “However, she’s only just gotten settled and your family’s home is too close to Rousseau House. Our elder sister would never permit it. My father has acknowledged her and that makes Vesper her primary guardian. It’s for the best that she remains here with us.”

There was some noise just then in the front hall and Cecily popped around the corner a few seconds later with Randall’s card in hand. She brightened at the sight of him and hurried in. “Randall! You came! Did you get my letter already? I sent it out with the morning post.”

“No, I’m afraid I haven’t received it yet,” Randall said as he rose to greet her. They clasped forearms in a very fraternal gesture. “I found your new address through my father so I came to visit. Senior Priestly was kind enough to keep me company.”

“Colvin, would you mind asking for refreshments for one more and a cool cloth?” Mira asked, eyeing Cecily’s glowing expression. She made it look pretty, but Mira could tell that glow was the beginning of a sunburn. Had she been walking? Why hadn’t she taken the coupe?

“Of course, miss,” Colvin said and bowed himself out.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Mira, have you met Randall before?” Cecily asked, plopping herself down next to Mira on the settee. She placed a subtle hand on Mira’s back and a brief ripple of magic flowed across Mira’s skin before Cecily relaxed fully.

“No, we have never been formally introduced,” Mira said. “However, I am aware of him.”

“Then let me,” Cecily said with a sunny smile. “This is my dear friend, Randall Zorander. We played together as children. Randall, this is Miss Violet Priestly, my second oldest sister. I hope we can all get along?” That last was said with such blatant hope directed at Randall that Mira didn’t even try to resist a smug smile. She wasn’t the one being asked to play nice.

Mira could see the fight drain out of Randall as Cecily radiated sunny joy at him.

“I have long admired you among the upperclassmen, Senior Priestly,” Randall lied, once he gave up in the face of Cecily’s hope.