Like the night before, Belle didn't return. Avaline stayed awake, squinting at the small stitches on the handkerchief until her eyes prickled and burned. With no other remedy, she finally went to bed.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Groaning, Avaline pulled her comforter over her head.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Even as she continued to ignore it, the tapping wouldn't let up. With a sigh, she sat up. Her hair stuck out all over her head. Groggily, she squinted. The room was still dark, and no one had drawn the curtains.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound came from the window. Wide awake, Avaline scrambled out of bed. She pulled back the curtains and winced. Bright sunlight awaited her. Blinking back tears, Avaline opened the window. Belle flew in and settled on the top of her chair.
"You poor thing," she said. "How long have you been out there?"
Except it wasn't Belle. This was a pigeon. Frowning, Avaline took the message from the bird. Leaning against her desk, Avaline read the message.
Lady Stark,
Belle was in need of a long rest, so I had to resort to other means. That being said, your apology is not necessary. I am a sibling myself and the only one taking care of Delilah. I've had my share of tantrums and quarrels. Believe me, it won't be the last.
Delilah was quite frightened about the ordeal. However, your letter has calmed her. She is still eager to befriend your siblings. If I may be so bold, may I invite you to attend the Luna Festival with us?"
May Sol shine brightly upon you,
Lord Sebastian Nightingale
Avaline gaped at the message. An outing! He wanted to invite them to an outing? Avaline nibbled her lips. This...it was a peace offering. It had to be. Otherwise, didn't he know the meaning behind a late-night outing? Or was it different for blood-borns?
Calmdown, she scolded herself. This invitation was meant for the twins. Delilah still wanted to be friends with the twins. And if Avaline decided to chaperone them...she shook her head. No. That wouldn't work. Anna was grounded for now. Charles wouldn't let them go anywhere with her anymore. What if he did allow them?
Trying to figure out a way to ask Charles, Avaline washed and dressed for the day. She braided her hair and let it hang down her back. Now that the excitement had worn away, she could barely keep her eyes open.
The dining room was quiet when Avaline walked in. Charles was present along with Elaine. Hiding her yawn, Avaline took a seat. Lottie immediately poured Avaline a bowl of porridge and set out a plate of dried fruit.
"Where are Vivian and the twins?" Avaline asked.
"It seems Vivian has been feeling under the weather lately," Elaine said. She dabbed her lips. "The twins are with Lady Margot. She came early today as she had another appointment later."
Avaline stared at her food. Elaine was the one who covered the twins' tutoring expenses. She often wondered what the bill looked like, but hadn't dared ask.
Dipping a spoon into the porridge, Avaline glanced at Charles. Pristine and proper as always, there was not a hair out of place. She ate the lumpy breakfast.
"I sent a letter to Lord Nightingale this morning," Charles said. He stared at Avaline with a stern expression. "The twins will be kept home until-"
"I don't think that's a good idea," Elaine interrupted.
"They're children," Avaline said at the same time.
The two women glanced at each other. Avaline placed her spoon down.
"Charles. Lord Nightingale has his own sibling, too. He knows what it's like for children to argue. Besides, Anna got a little jealous. It happens."
Charles didn't bat an eye. "When you and Vivian did the same thing at the Sol festival, what did Mother do?"
Avaline winced. She rubbed her calf with her foot. She remembered her mother striking her with a rod. She couldn't walk for days.
"They must learn to be mindful of their actions," Charles said. "Blackburry will judge them regardless of their age."
"They're still learning," Elaine said with a soft voice. "Anna does need to be grounded and her lessons more rigorous, but I'm sure she has learned her lesson."
"We'll see," was all he said.
When the family finished their meal, Avaline followed Charles toward his office. He usually kept the newspaper inside. Surely, it would have news on the Luna Festival. Most blood-born worshipped the Lunar goddess, but so did humans. Avaline could have to find out when the festival was being held so she could make preparations.
"What is it?" Charles asked, sitting behind his desk.
"I want to read the newspaper," she said.
He gestured toward the lounge table by the couches. "Feel free."
As she got comfortable, Avaline carefully skimmed each section. Some shops were promoting their wares. A traveling farmer swore they saw Hellios. Avaline paused. Sol forbid. She read through the piece again, but there were no major reports from the guards nor from the major. She bit her lip. Should they start worrying?
Hellios had remained on Mt. Rothwine for many years, which was why their family was suffering now. Hellios had used the Stark mines as their home ever since the Battle of the Northern Spikes. The creatures had moved south and, unfortunately, settled so close to Blackburry. However, they hadn't made a single attempt to leave the moment. Had something changed?
Avaline shook her head. It was best not to worry herself silly about rumors. The guards will protect us.
"What's wrong?" Charles asked. Paper ripped as he moved the letter opener across the envelope. "You're awfully quiet."
Avaline hesitated. "Did you read the paper?"
"Not yet. I woke too late. Why? Something of interest?"
She cleared his throat. "A farmer saw Hellios."
The air froze. Avaline gripped the paper tightly, wrinkling it. They both knew what was taken from them. Their father, their safety, their future...
"There's nothing to worry about," Charles said, smoothly. "Why do you think Lord Nightingale came to Blackburry? The Mayor sent him a proposal."
Avaline dropped the paper. "What?"
Charles placed the letter down. "It was part of the last town meeting," he said. "Mayor Connor wanted to aid the king's veteran efforts; he asked Lord Nightingale and his men to be stationed here in Blackburry." Charles rubbed his chin. "I believe the blood-born guards have been stationed at the watch towers on the roads leading to and from Blackburry. We would have been told if there was any merit to the rumors."
Embarrassed, Avaline picked up the paper. Perhaps she should have been more aware of the political landscape of the town. The way things were, she wouldn't remain ignorant. Yet, what was the point? Attending public readings and engaging in social discourse required money, none of which they could afford to spend. So far, the only one capable was Elaine, and that was due to her mother's continued patronage.
She shook her head. Now, wasn't the time. She needed to look for the festivals. As she flipped through the pages, Avaline found the local events. The Sol church was asking for more donations. The gentleman's club a liquor tasting event. The museum had acquired new pieces from the East.
And the Luna festival...
"...is in two weeks," Avaline muttered.
Her mind started calculating. The twins had outfits that she and Vivian could adjust for the new season. Whoever went with the twins would need a chaperone unless Elaine went. However, Avaline didn't see her attending with a blood-born, not without Charles. Vivian would most definitely avoid it. So, that leaves me.
Avaline blushed. Then, paled. Would Charles let her be responsible for the twins again? Would he accept Lord Nightingale's invitation? If by some chance he allowed her to accompany the twins, who would want to chaperone her?
"Avaline," Charles said. "I thought I said not to make it a habit."
Frowning, Avaline folded the paper on her lap. "What did I do?"
Charles lifted a letter. "It's from Lord Nightingale."
Her stomach twisted. Avaline had to press her lips together to hide the smile. She couldn't look too excited.
"Oh?" she asked. "What is it about? Is he upset at the twins? Have I been dismissed?"
Instead of answering, Charles motioned her to get closer. Mystified, Avaline took the letter from him and read it. It was an invitation for Avaline and the twins to join the Nightingale family for the Luna festival. It didn't mention anything about the twins' quarrel.
"What?" she asked, feigning surprise. "So, he's not upset."
"Is that really the point?"
Avaline placed the letter on his desk. "I think it's a lovely idea."
Charles stared at her. "I'm sure you do." He grabbed a fresh paper from his desk. "No one is going anywhere."
Avaline slammed her hand down. "What? Why? The children made a friend. Can't we go?"
Lord Stark sat back in his chair. "Aren't you being overly excited? Besides, I don't trust you three to go out anymore."
"Brother," Avaline whined. "The festival is two weeks away. There's plenty of time for the twins' behavior to improve." She grabbed his hand. "Who else is going to take them except for me? I'll ask ... Lady Poppy to be our chaperone. Please?"
He crossed his arms. "I don't think I can trust a man who calls upon my sister too often."
"He knew Father," she told him. "Described him to the letter."
Charles hesitated, but said, "he's a man. There aren't a lot of reasons why a man calls upon a lady."
"You think he's trying to court me?" she asked. Her stomach bubbled with excitement. She cleared her throat. "He's bringing his sister. I think it's a great opportunity to let Annie and Brian make a new friend."
"I don't think he's trying to be your friend. Besides, he's your employer. It's not right."
The thought hadn't occurred to her. But if he was . . . he was so persistent...Avaline didn't know what to think. Yet, she wanted to take this opportunity to ask Lord Nightingale.
"Does it matter?" she asked. "No one else but us knows I work for him."
"What about Adam?" Charles asked. "Did you forget about Lord Ross?"
She flinched. "We're not engaged."
"He's courting you."
"He is not." Avaline crossed her arms. "What man courting a woman leaves for months at a time and doesn't send a letter?"
Charles picked up a letter from his desk. "He did send a letter."
"To you," she said, reading the envelope. "Besides, he's your business partner, and I don't want to be a transaction."
"You know I would never treat you as such. Besides, he's a good man. I believe he truly wants to marry you. Was I mistaken that you wished for the same?"
At some point, Avaline thought she did. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to tell Charles that the only reason she had considered Lord Ross was for the financial gain.
"I don't feel close to him," she said instead. "It's been too long."
"I'm not trying to force you," he said.
"I know, but he's not here right now, and I want to attend the Luna festival." She nudged his shoulder. "You said you had an open mind."
Charles rubbed his face. "It's not the same thing."
"If I make the twins take extra religious lessons about the festival, would you allow us to attend?"
Charles crossed his arms. "Only if Lady Poppy agrees."
Grinning, Avaline threw her arms around her brother. "Has anyone told you that you're the best sibling?"
Chuckling, Charles pushed her away. "You better not let Vivian hear that."
Avaline rushed out of the room. She inwardly prayed that Lady Poppy would be available that night.