Page 107 of Because I Killed Him
If she’s still using, she’s burning through the kind of civil credits that would send a low-citizen to the guillotine. With Bliss now illegal, the penalty for using is a hundred civil credit deduction each time you’re caught. But I doubt Rosamund cares. If she’s got as many civil credits as Edmund seems to, the loss probably wouldn’t even make a dent.
“I couldn’t help but notice your name is missing from my brother’s guest list,” Rosamund says, stroking her monkey’s head fondly. “Is there a reason you’re not attending our birthday celebration tomorrow?”
The curiosity in her eyes is revealing. She’s clearly unaware that my position in Edmund’s entourage isn’t because we’re friends but because he lost a bet. Why didn’t Edmund tell her? Does he not trust her?
“Mr. Prew did not include me because I have a prior engagement,” I say, tugging lightly at my earring.
Rosamund flicks a sharp fingernail through the air, as if popping the bubble of my lie. “Come now, Miss Waldsten. Don’t you know the only way one liar convinces another is to tell the truth?”
Her speed catches me off guard. No one’s ever picked apart my lies so quickly, not even Dad.
“What’s your arrangement with my brother, exactly?” she asks, lighting her monkey a fresh cigarette. “Do I finally have the pleasure of meeting one of the mysteriousmistressesMiss Hussey keeps talking about?”
Mistresses? The fact that she’s asking me about her own brother’s side pieces confirms it:he doesn’t trust her.
“No, Miss Prew. I am afraid I know nothing about any mistresses.”
“Is that so?” Rosamund flashes a polite smile that fades before it reaches her eyes. The only time I saw genuine warmth in them was when she spoke with Jack. “Then why else would he offer you protection?”
“That is between your brother and me.”
“Oh, he won’t mind if you tell me. We’re awfully close, you know.”
“Then why not ask him yourself?”
Rosamund’s bottom lip curls faintly, a ripple so slight it barely disturbs her flawless face. She’s as beautiful as Edmund is handsome. That Jack manages to resist her, even when she openly offers herself to him, makes me think he must’ve really loved Charlotte. Maybe he still does.
“No need to be so defensive, Miss Waldsten,” Rosamund says. “I’m only trying to help you, especially since my brother’s marriage to Miss Hussey is set for next autumn.”
“Why should that alter our arrangement?”
“Because as soon as they are married, Miss Hussey will have rights over Edmund’s entourage.”
I pause, wondering if this is why Edmund set my membership for a year. Is it because he knows that as soon as he says “I do,” Irene will force him to kick out every last one of us?
“I will no longer be in your brother’s entourage,” I say.
“I see.” Rosamund’s gaze drifts to my waist, lingering on the absence of a saber. “Well, until then, might I suggest a few fencing lessons.”
“Why?”
Rosamund tugs the monkey’s tail, and the animal hands over the cigarette. She takes a long, slow drag, then exhales the smoke into my face with a pointed grin. “Because Miss Hussey is eager to settle the score.”
Why does she keep dragging Irene into this as if they’re close friends? I saw the way Rosamund looked at her in the dining hall. She clearly hates Irene as much as she hates Charlotte and me.
I glance toward the line of students, where Jack, Charlotte, and Dickie still wait to view the spur. Their backs are turned, unaware of our exchange. I know I shouldn’t take the bait, but I can’t help it. When I look at Rosamund, I don’t see Edmund’s twin; I see the woman who almost destroyed my best friend.
I turn back to Rosamund, matching her cold demeanor. “Perhaps Miss Hussey should focus on settling her legal situation first.”
Rosamund arches an eyebrow, as if questioning whether I truly want to walk this road. “She won’t be convicted.”
“That would be more unfortunate for you than for me,” I say.
“Oh? And why is that?”
“I know you do not care for your brother’s fiancée, Miss Prew.”
“How are you so certain?”
