Page 11 of The Rake and the Cake

Unexpected warmth spread through Brook’s middle at the realization that Aisling had been listening. Normally, being perceived meant duties and pleasantries, each duller than the last. She’d almost forgotten how nice it was to be seen when someone didn’t want anything from her. “I did. I suppose I never fit in very well. My brother is the picture of duty, always working to further family concerns. He even married appropriately, to an elf from Dun Steorran nobility. Because of course he did.”

Aisling chuckled softly. “I understand. My sibling is the perfect one, too.”

“Older or younger?”

“Older. I often joke that I’m an afterthought, even though it annoys my parents.”

Brook shot her a sideways look, trying to gauge how Aisling truly felt about that. She was still smiling, though, as if she had a secret. And perhaps she did.

Brook said, “Mine’s older too. What did yours have to do to become the golden child?”

“Well, they also married into a good family—one with connections in Gearwick, which is helpful for getting funding and materials.”

“What for?”

“Mostly steam engines. Mum and Dad have been working on them almost all their lives, but Darra—that’s my sibling—has grand plans for a rail system between Copperford and Gearwick. They just need to fine-tune the actual mechanics of the thing.”

“A rail system?”

“Like they use in the mines to get the metal out. They run little carts on rails, pulled by animals or magically propelled, depending. Some places even use engines of some kind, wind-up clockwork or steam. That’s Darra’s dream.”

“They sound mildly intelligent,” Brook allowed.

Aisling barked out a laugh. “Exactly. And that’s really why they’re the golden child. Here’s my wagon—can I just change?”

Brook bit back an inappropriate quip and nodded. “I’ll be here.”

While Aisling went into the canvas-topped wagon, Brook arranged further questions in her head. Aisling emerged moments later, her face was bright and flour-free (though there was still some in her hair). She wore a new shirt that slipped off one freckled shoulder and tucked into a wide corset belt, plus the same utilitarian skirt as before. Under one arm, she carried a folded blanket.

“You look lovely,” Brook said sincerely.

“I look exhausted, I know, but I deserve a drink. Come on, let’s go to the bank. I love running water.”

Brook let Aisling take the lead. They ended up on the low bank of the Braleigh, where the water tripped over rocks and sticks in the shallows, making it sing. Aisling spread her blanket and settled on it, tail curling around her like a cat’s.

Brook sat beside her, popped open the bottle, and offered it.

Aisling accepted gratefully and tipped it back, throat moving as she took a few swallows.

What a pretty neck she had, quite short, like all of her, but pale as a swan’s. Little bit of a double chin that begged to be kissed. Brook watched happily before accepting the bottle back. Then began again with, “They must be very proud of your oven though? Your family?”

“Did I mention that they refer to it as my little oven?”

“Oof.” Brook took a long swig of the tart, crisp wine. “I know that feeling. Not that I’ve ever actually done anything worth being proud of, to be fair to my family.”

“I’m sure you have.”

“Not really.” Brook winced at the admission, which suddenly felt a little too sincere. “I don’t have much education—not useful education, anyhow. I know all about bloodlines and traditions that I couldn’t care less about. I’d make a wonderful noble society wife but not much else.”

“You can move invisibly through a crowd of elves,” Aisling said, nose wrinkled up adorably. “That’s the most singular skill I’ve ever seen.”

Which was saying quite a lot, for a Gearwickian. That said, Brook didn’t find it so impressive. “I was born with magic.”

“But you had to cultivate ways to use it. And I’ve never even heard of someone using it like that.”

“I haven’t either,” Brook admitted, chuckling at the proud flush it gave her. “But I’m sure someone has.”

“Someone else always has the same idea. But no one else can execute it in quite the same way,” Aisling said.