Nearly an hour later, Avaline carefully walked down the stairs. Hiding Lord Nightingale's letter had proven more difficult than dissuading Elaine from lending her so many hair ornaments. However, Avaline had successfully hidden the crumpled paper between her bosom. Not the best place, but it was better than having it discovered.
The dried flower ornaments in Avaline's hair dangled from her twisting hair as she walked. Elaine followed Avaline, fussing about the hem of the dress.
In the foyer, the twins waited in new outfits. Had Vivian sewn them without my knowing? Or were these another way for Elaine's mother to show off her wealth?
"Where's Vivi?" Anna asked.
"She couldn't make it."
"Who couldn't make it?" Charles asked as he walked downstairs.
Avaline stared at her brother's suit. He had changed.
"You're going out?" she asked.
"To the office," he said. "Where are you three going?"
Brian grinned widely, showing two of his missing teeth. "To a play date."
"It's at Lady Poppy's manor," Elaine added.
"I need the carriage," Charles said. He glanced at Avaline.
"So do we," she retorted. "You said Anna and Brian could take the carriage two weeks ago."
"The client requested a meeting," Charles began. "I couldn't say no."
Avaline put her hands on her hips. "You can drop us off."
"It's the opposite of where I'm going."
"Are we to cancel then?" Anna asked. Her light brown eyes misted over.
Avaline gave their brother a pointed look.
The butler, Jonna, walked in from outside. "Lady Avaline," he said. He bowed to Charles, then turned to Avaline. "Lady Yolanda's carriage is waiting for you outside."
Her eyebrows shot up. Avaline hadn't spoken to Yolanda nor met with her lately. Did they agree to meet up today?
"She's here to pick you up for the play date," Jonna continued.
"She is?" Avaline asked.
Charles gave a pointed stare. She met his gaze defiantly. She hadn't asked Yolanda to come for them.
"Does that mean we can go?" Anna asked. Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Brian's hand and hurried outside.
"How lovely." Elaine smiled. She pushed a matching bag and a fan into Avaline's hands. "Do enjoy yourself."
With a tight smile, Avaline followed the twins. Outside, the carriage with House Vann's crest waited. The coachman opened the door for Anna and Brian. Avaline picked up the hem of her dress and carefully made her way toward it. Pebbles and cracks in the cobblestone yard made it difficult to walk. One more thing House Stark needed to repair.
Inside the carriage, Yolanda and her brother, Christopher, sat on plump cushions on one side of the carriage. A pale lavender gown adorned Yolanda's warm-colored skin. Christopher adjusted the necktie of his beige suit. His dark curly hair bounced as he moved. Greeting her friend, Avaline squeezed between her siblings across from them.
"This is a surprise," Avaline said.
Yolanda fluttered her thick eyelashes at her. "How else am I to spend time with you?" she asked. "When I heard you were invited, I knew I had to steal you away before you left on your own."
Avaline glanced at Anna and Brian. "Either way, thank you."
"Yes, thank you," said the twins.
"You should be thankful," Yolanda remarked. "I'm a little cross that you didn't attend Lord Nightingale's welcome home ball last night."
Avaline's back stiffened. "Did you attend?"
Yolanda snapped her fan open. "Goddess no." She winked. "I couldn't attend without a dear friend to accompany me." She leaned forward. "Let's attend tonight. It's not every day we get to meet a war hero."
Avaline clutched her bag tightly. The bouncing carriage did nothing to help settle her stomach. She fanned herself if only to give her time to think. Should she confess to attending the ball? No. She couldn't. Lord Nightingale had explicitly told her not to show herself to him.
"I don't believe I can attend."
Yolanda pouted. "I suppose you don't need to meet a dashing hero when you have one of your own?"
Warmth filled Avaline's face. She quickly fanned herself, ignoring how Anna and Brian giggled.
"How is Lord Ross?" Yolanda asked.
Adam Ross was more of a merchant than a hero, but still a candidate for marriage. At her silence, Lady Yolanda snapped her fan closed.
"Wasn't he the one who started the marriage talks? How long has he been gone?"
Avaline gently closed her fan. "Almost a month."
"And he hasn't sent you a letter? One might think he doesn't want this engagement."
Avaline winced. Having a good marriage would help her family. The mansion would be easier to manage. They could get a full-time tutor for the twins. All at the expense of leaving Blackburry. Though if Lord Ross didn't want it...there's nothing I can do. The thought gave her strength. Hadn't she and Vivian managed to keep the family afloat with their jobs?
"His family is in the capital," Avaline reminded her. "Travel through the mountains is impossible. The sea is a much safer route, but longer. It's to be expected. News is slow."
She glanced at the twins. While young, she didn't want the conversation to reach Charles's ears.
Yolanda shook her head. "You're a saint."
Avaline squeezed her bag. "Nothing has been truly decided. It's best to wait until things are more certain."
***
They were the last to arrive at Lady Poppy's house. The butler led them through polished hallways and well-kept archways to the willow tree in the gardens. The table was set by the pond where ducks and other birds waddled around the tall grass.
Other than Lady Poppy, Lady Stewart and Lady Kain were also in attendance. Christopher, Anna, and Brian darted toward the other children, throwing a ball by the bushes. A handful of maids watched over them.
Yolanda and Avaline curtsied.
"Thank you for having us," they said.
Lady Poppy rose from her chair. Her short black hair was adorned with a pink bow. "It is I who should thank all of you for attending. Please sit."
As they did, the attendants poured them a cup of tea into flowery cups. Avaline gently held the porcelain cup lest she break it. The table held all sorts of small sandwiches and sugary sweets. Avaline's tongue prickled. She could only eat once Lady Poppy had taken a bite.
Lady Poppy's marriage to Lord Poppy had been all over the papers. Vivian hadn't let her hear the end of it. Everyone had been interested in Lord Poppy's second marriage. His previous wife and son had died in a Hellios attack almost two years ago. The newlywed couple had no children of their own just yet, and the only family Lady Poppy had was her sister, Juniper.
The tea gathering started soon after. Once Lady Poppy took a bite of the cream puff, Avaline reached for the triangle-shaped bread. She chewed slowly so as not to show her eagerness and tried to ignore how Lady Kain watched her with a bright smile.
Clearing her throat, Avaline sipped her tea. The sweet and warm liquid surprised her. Other than honey, she wasn't accustomed to such a sweet experience.
"Is this...sugar?" Avaline asked.
Lady Poppy's face flushed red. "Yes, well. It was a gift from abroad."
Lady Kain fanned herself. Even with a small breeze, her wrist never stopped. "We should be honored to partake in such a gift."
Avaline pressed her lips together. The Kain family was wealthy in their own right, too. Perhaps not enough to acquire sugar on their own.
Yolanda placed her fan on the table. The cups clicked against the plates. "I, for one, am grateful for Lady Poppy's generosity."
"As am I," Avaline said.
A sudden silence fell upon the table.
"Did you hear about the recruitment officers?" Lady Stewart asked. Her freckled nose wrinkled.
Avaline lowered her cup. She squeezed her fingers together under the table. She was thankful for Lady Stewart's absent-mindedness.
"Let's not gossip," Lady Yolanda began.
"I did hear some rumors," Lady Kain said. Lady Yolanda gave her a look. "But I won't speak prematurely."
Lady Poppy quickly took the reins of the conversation. "I want to organize a donation for supplies and send them to the front lines."
"No one is making it to the front lines anytime soon." Lady Stewart frowned. "It's too dangerous."
Lady Poppy's shoulders slumped. "It was a silly idea."
"Supplies are needed," Lady Yolanda agreed.
"Sister Tucker has a donation going for those who were moved out of the warzone," Avaline added. "If the church can get supplies to them, maybe there's a way to send supplies to the front."
"Oh yes," Lady Yolanda said. "There's bound to be some merchants we can ask for transportation."
"You think they would agree?" Lady Kain asked. "Who will risk their lives? And hiring mercenaries to protect the caravans is an expensive way."
"It's why we would ask for donations and volunteers," Lady Yolanda replied. "There are many who wish to help without having to join the fighting."
"Now, now," Lady Stewart said. "Let's cool our tongues with some tea. Lady Poppy prepared so many delicious treats for us."
Avaline grabbed an egg salad sandwich and nibbled on it. Sending supplies was necessary. If their donations were to reach the soldiers, they needed to ask someone with experience dealing with Hellios, veterans, so to speak. And the only veteran she knew was…. Lord Nightingale.
She coughed.
Lady Yolanda worriedly cast a glance at her. She waved her worry away and drank her tea. If Sister Tucker didn't know of a way, then she would ask Lord Nightingale. It was for the sake of the soldiers after all. The crumpled paper prickled her chest.
"Well, if it's not gossip," Lady Kain began. "There's a new boutique that opened up. It's off the main market called Needle Point."
Avaline nearly choked. Coughing, she pressed a napkin to her lips.
"What a clever name," Lady Poppy said. "I heard it opened recently."
Lady Stewart leaned forward. "I heard the owner wanted to expand his business from the Capitol. They have two shops over there, maybe three. They only hire the best seamstresses and designers."
"If it's as good as you say, we can take a trip there," Lady Kain said.
"My brother's birthday is coming up after all," Lady Yolanda added. "Everyone is invited, of course."
"An outing sounds wonderful." Lady Poppy clapped. "We should all go shopping together."
"I'll check my schedule," Lady Yolanda said, "but I should be able to next month."
"I can schedule an appointment for us." Lady Kain turned to Avaline. "Is your schedule open?"
Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, Avaline took another sip of the tea. She was sure she and Vivian could scrounge up some extra spending money so the twins could get a new outfit. If Avaline could get her hands on some fabric, she could whip up something for them in a month. She might lose sleep, but with Vivian's help, they should be able to make it.
"I'll check my schedule," she replied.
As the tea party wound down, the children returned for snacks and beverages. Anna and Brian were too quiet as they ate. Avaline joined in the small talk while keeping an eye on them.
Eventually, the tea party ended. All the way home, Anna and Brian barely spoke a word. They nearly jumped out of the carriage when it stopped in front of the Stark mansion.
"Apologies for the rudeness," she said to Yolanda. "I don't know why they've suddenly forgotten their manners."
Yolanda waved her apology away. "That's not necessary between us," she said. She glanced at Christopher. "I'll let you know if I find something out."
Avaline thanked her and climbed off. In the foyer, Lottie paced back and forth, nibbling on her thumb.
"Has something happened?"
"A representative of the bank is here," she whispered. "Lady Elaine is currently talking to him."
A pit formed in her stomach. "Take me there."
With Charles absent, Avaline could only imagine what the bank wanted.