“I’ll follow your rules, Kent,” I say quietly, keeping my face blank. “But in exchange, I will be treated with respect in this house.” He opens his mouth to reply but I interrupt him, holding up a finger. “And,” I say, continuing my small list of demands. “I’m not going to be held here like a litt
“Good, Fay! Good!” Jerome says, his voice eager and encouraging. Kent’s trainer couldn’t come on short notice, so Jerome is putting me through some exercises on the horse. He watched me ride a bit and then told me – to my surprise – that I’m too reliant on the reins. “You hold onto them,” he had s
“Sorry,” I say, blinking at him and blushing again. “Um, can you repeat that?” “Don’t worry about it,” he says, laughing a little and holding up a hand to help me dismount. “Come on, let’s let Heathcliff get his rest.” I nod and take Jerome’s hand, swinging my right leg over Heathcliff’s withers a
“A…beach party?” I say, cocking my head to the side as I study the note. “It’s about an hour away,” Kent says, watching me closely as I read. “Friends and family, apparently.” I look up at Kent my eyebrow raised. “Did you…read my mail?” He stares at me impassively, not needing to confirm. I study
They had nodded their confirmation and then we had left. Now, we’re forty-five minutes out of the city, heading away from the stables and towards the beach. I can already smell the salt on the air. I love the beach – I always have, despite my lily-white skin and my tendency to burn as red as a lobs
My father settles me into a comfortable chair at the center of the group and Tristin, to my right, shoots me a cold smile. Baby Estrella, in her lap, coos a happy greeting to me, so I give them both a warm smile in return. It’s a happy affair, really – everyone seems eager to greet me, to bring me
He smirks at me and, predictably, I blush. I scowl, really wishing I didn’t do that all the time. “So,” he says, giving me a friendly smile. “Apparently you’re the lady of the hour.” “Am I?” I say eagerly, leaning in, hoping this guy can give me a clue about what’s going on. “Do you know anythin
Ivan laughs at me then, at my speechlessness, and I can’t help myself – I laugh too, putting my head in my hands. “Yes,” I say, blushing terribly. “I have heard of you. And I have to say, it has not all been good things.” “Oh, come on,” he says, still laughing a little. “It can’t have been all b