In the day that followed, Avaline was put on leave from her governess duties. Flabbergasted, she stared at the letter while sitting at the breakfast table. Elaine had chosen to have her meal in bed. Charles had accompanied her, and Vivian had stayed in her room once more. Only the twins and Avaline were downstairs.
"What is it, my lady?" Lottie asked. "Is it bad news?"
Avaline shook her head. "N-no. It's fine."
She ran her fingers over the envelope. Her name had been written in thin, elegant letters. The back of the envelope had been closed with the nightingale wax seal. Its wine color was a stark comparison to its beige-colored background.
Yet, the message had been short.
Lady Stark,
Delilah and I welcome the additional guests. On another note, I must postpone Delilah's lessons for now. There are family matters that have surfaced.
I look forward to your presence at the Luna Festival.
Lord Nightingale
"Who is it from?" Anna asked.
Trying her best to keep smiling, Avaline folded the letter and inserted it back into the envelope. She handed it to Lottie.
"Place it in my room, please." She turned back to Anna. "It was from the Nightingale Manor. They're excited for the festival." She glanced at their bowls. "Now, finish up so we can continue your lessons."
As the twins finished their meal, Avaline twisted the napkin in her hands. What could have happened for Lord Nightingale to ask her to stay away?
***
Whether it was from excitement or nervousness, the two weeks passed quickly. Avaline had gotten the reply she wanted from Lady Poppy. She and her sister were able to attend. Lady Yolanda sent her support with a small note and a jewelry set.
The evening of the promised day, Avaline sat in the drawing room. Smoothing the blue floral dress across her legs, she tried maintaining her posture. And yet her leg continued to jump up and down on its own accord. Preparations had started early that afternoon, and Avaline had barely any sleep. Luckily, Vivian and Lottie had helped her get ready. They, however, hadn't shared Avaline's enthusiasm.
"Are you sure Lady Poppy will meet you there?" Vivian had asked.
"Her letter said as much," Avaline reminded her.
Silently, Vivian continued washing her hair. "Why so much effort?" she grumbled.
Lottie poured warm water into the bath.
"Why not?" Avaline countered.
"Are you trying to impress Lady Poppy?"
"I do not need to."
"Then I can only imagine you're trying to impress Lord Nightingale." She giggled. "But that would be -" She stopped. "Are you and Lord Nightingale -?"
Avaline frowned. "We're what?"
"Lord Nightingale can't be courting you," she began. "He hasn't spoken to Charles, and Lord Ross has -"
Avaline's face flushed. "Vivi, don't jump to conclusions."
As she said this, she stared at Lottie. The way her room had been organized lately, she was sure Lottie found the messages from Lord Nightingale. Avaline hadn't exactly hidden them either. For a woman and a man to exchange so many letters, one would think they were courting.
Tonight was a good night, as any, for Avaline to decide whether to pursue Lord Nightingale or not. She didn't want it to be a one-sided affair. If he truly didn't wish anything to do with her in that regard, I'll give up. It's what she had to do.
Avaline cleared her throat. "Are you almost finished with my hair?"
"Don't rush me."
As the two worked with Avaline, Elaine took it upon herself to get the twins ready. Elaine had prepared their clothes in advance, a little surprise she hadn't told anyone about.
The two of them sat across from Avaline, trying not to wiggle. Beautiful curls adorned Anna's face. Brian looked like the spitting image of Charles when he was younger.
Standing from the couch, Avaline moved towards the window. The gown was a little tighter than she would have liked. Vivian had helped her repurpose one of their older gowns. They added the short puff sleeves to make it a bit more elegant and a blue ribbon around the waist. Avaline daresay there wouldn't be anything else like it. Though modest, it would get the job done.
Just as she turned away from the window, Lord Nightingale's carriage pulled up to the front of the house. The sight of his family crest set her face aflame.
"He's here," Avaline breathed.
Anna and Brian leaped from their seats. They rushed out of the room, and Avaline followed them. Vivian, on the other hand, had other things planned.
"Not so fast," she said, standing in the way.
"What's wrong?" Anna peeked behind her.
Vivian looked at Avaline. "Charles is speaking with Lord Nightingale."
She walked around the twins and adjusted Avaline's top. "I don't suppose you would consider covering your shoulders?"
Avaline glanced at her gown. The only exposed skin was on her shoulders. "Why?"
She gave her a look, then looked at the twins. "Keep an eye on Ava tonight. She might get into trouble."
Brian stood up straight. "You can count on me."
Jonas rounded the corner. "Master Stark requests your presence," he announced.
Vivian and Avaline glanced at each other. Jonas had never called Charles that.
"Go ahead, children," Vivian said. "I need to talk to Ava."
Alone, Vivian grabbed her arm. "Do behave yourself," she said. "We don't want any rumors circulating."
"Lord Nightingale is a gentleman."
"I'm talking about you, Ava. Keep your hands to yourself."
Avaline tugged her arm free. "I'm not going to harm our reputation."
"Let's hope not."
Vivian grabbed her hand once more. She placed a small coin purse in Avaline's palm.
"Take it," she said. "Buy the twins something."
"Where did you get this?"
Vivian folded her arms. "It's from Charles."
Charles and Lord Nightingale waited in the foyer. Anna and Brian waited by the door. One look at Lord Nightingale and Avaline stopped in her tracks. His presence was the only thing she could focus on. The navy blue and gold suit made him almost blind. How could a man look so good?
"Midnight would be an appropriate time," Charles was saying.
Only then did Avaline look at her brother.
"The children shouldn't stay out so long," Vivian added.
"I will be punctual," Lord Nightingale assured him.
He held his arm out. Avaline immediately walked towards him and grabbed his arm.
"Shall we?" she asked.
As he escorted her to the carriage, her footsteps were light, and she tried not to grin like a fool. The twins went ahead of them.
"You look lovely," Lord Nightingale mentioned.
Avaline's neck warmed. "Thank you. And may I say, you continue to amaze me."
"Delilah will be pleased. She chose my attire."
Delilah sat patiently inside the carriage. She and the twins stared at each other from across the carriage, silent. As Avaline stepped inside, the twins scooted to one side, giving her room to sit.
"Luna bless your path," Avaline said in greeting.
Delilah's raven hair sat in ringlets around her shoulders. "As yours."
Once they were all on board, the carriage started moving. The only sound was the shift of gravel underneath the carriage's wheels. Avaline squeezed her gloved fingers together. Her gaze was drawn toward Lord Nightingale's eyes. The color reminded her of honey stirred into tea.
A small tug at her skirt drew my attention away. Avaline looked down and saw Anna pinching her skirt.
"It's rude to stare," she muttered.
Avaline cleared her throat and looked away. Why did she have to say it so loudly? Avaline glanced at Brian. His gaze was on his shoes. Even Anna stared at her hands. Whatever she had imagined, it wasn't this. Was it because they were children and didn't know what to say?
"Miss Delilah," Avaline said, "what are you most looking forward to?"
Delilah stared at her like she'd grown another limb. Had she said something wrong? Confused, Avaline glanced at Lord Nightingale. He whispered something in his sister's ear.
"I don't know." Delilah's voice was quiet. "This is my first time at a festival."
"It is?" Anna asked. The loudness of her own voice surprised her. The young girl flushed red.
"There's a lot to eat," Brian spoke up. "So many yummy treats. You'll see."
Delilah smiled. "I look forward to it."
Trying to be discreet, Avaline adjusted the coin purse along her waist. Surely, there would be enough to treat the children to sweets.
"That's right." Anna sat up straight. "They had an art display a few months ago. I heard it from Luisa - I mean Miss Kain. She and her sister went the other day."
As the children chatted, Avaline turned her attention back to Lord Nightingale. The way his lip curled at the corner brought a smile to her face. His gaze softened every time Delilah spoke. To think he spent ten years away from her, she couldn't imagine what they both must have gone through. She also couldn't imagine being separated from her siblings for so long.
The carriage slowed to a stop. Lord Nightingale was the first to step out, followed by Delilah, Anna, and Brian. Avaline shifted in her seat, grabbing the handle beside the doorway.
"Watch your step," Lord Nightingale said. His hand hovered in front of her.
Avaline's fingers twitched. She reached out as one might reach for a cat and gently placed my hand into his. When she stepped out of the carriage, he didn't let go. Instead, he brought her hand to his arm and tucked it underneath.
"It's so pretty," Brian breathed.
Hanging lights illuminated the path where vendors had set up shop. Music came from further within. Families walked from vendor to vendor. Some children ran around with colorful ribbons.
"Lady Poppy was to accompany us," Lord Nightingale began.
Memorized by the sturdiness of his arm, Avaline didn't realize he had spoken.
"Hmm? Oh, yes."
She looked around for a sign of Lady Poppy and her sister, Juniper. However, she couldn't see them anywhere.
Anna skipped toward her. "Can we go in?"
"Watch your step," Lord Nightingale said. His hand hovered in front of me.
My fingers twitched. I reached out as one might reach for a cat and gently placed my hand into his. The callouses on his hand tickled. When I stepped out of the carriage, he didn't let go. Instead, he brought my hand to his arm and tucked it underneath.
"It's so pretty," Brian breathed.
Hanging lights illuminated the path where vendors had set up shop. Music came from further within. Families walked from vendor to vendor. Some children ran around with colorful ribbons.
"Lady Poppy was to accompany us," Lord Nightingale began.
"Hmm? Oh, yes."
I looked around for a sign of Lady Leah and her sister, Juniper. However, I couldn't see them anywhere.
Anna skipped toward me. "Can we go in?"
Avaline hesitated. Riding a carriage with Lord Nightingale was one thing. If they walked through the festival together...what would everyone think?