Page 12 of The Musician and the Monster

Ceridwen pulled in a deep breath. She could do this. Perhaps help save the city or some innocent soul and become someone others thanked and applauded rather thanoverlooked. This would be her chance to do some good for once, and she couldn’t squander it.

Chapter 6

Ceridwen

Afine carriage arrived at the house before the sun had begun to warm the day.

Two solid raps upon the door announced the man who stood in front of Ceridwen’s home. She recognized him from yesterday, still dressed similarly to the Ainsworths’ butler, but even more refined. Today’s jacket was a dark gray that accented the silver frock of hair over his forehead, so different from the darker portion of his salt-and-pepper hair pulled tightly behind his head and secured with a ribbon.

His face was serene, impassive. Had he stood still, she might have mistaken him for a painted statue. “Miss Ceridwen Kinsley,” he greeted her as she stepped next to Bronwyn, who’d answered the door. “I am Jackoby, Lord Winterbourne’s butler and chief aide.”

Bronwyn pursed her lips when he did not turn and address her as well.

Another man emerged from around the carriage—the younger man from yesterday. He, too, had his brown hair tied back, the end brushing the base of his neck. In all likelihood, he was only a year or two older than Adair. “Kent here will see to your things,” Jackoby said.

This man did bob his head to Bronwyn, which earned him a half smile in return.

Without delay, the sisters showed the men into the sitting room where Father and Jaina sat with the trunk of Ceridwen’s things. She’d already said her farewell to Gerard before he left at dawn to fulfill a job at the docks.

Kent lifted the chest with more ease than expected and carried it off toward the door sitting agape.

“Now, say your farewells, and come along,” Jackoby continued.

Farewells?Her throat tightened, and she grabbed Bronwyn’s hand without thought.

“I’d like to see where my sister will be staying and get her settled,” Bronwyn insisted.

Jackoby looked her up and down as if seeing her for the first time. “Only Miss Ceridwen is permitted entry, no others.”

“May we please ask Lord Winterbourne?” Ceridwen asked, hesitant to loosen her grip on her sister lest the reality of her situation finally take hold.

“My lord was very specific,” he insisted. “I will not go against his orders.”

“He said I must stay, but he mentioned nothing of others not being allowed.”

“Do you wish to back out of your arrangement?” He raised a careful brow.

“No, but—”

“It’s all right, Ceridwen,” Bronwyn said. Ceridwen started to protest, but Bronwyn pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. “I’ll see what I can learn,” she whispered. “I’ll write and visit if he’ll allow it. We all will.”

Tears burned the corners of Ceridwen’s eyes. She bit her lip hard, willing them away, and nodded within her sister’s embrace. They’d never been separated, not once in all their years.

Jaina was on the edge of tears herself as Ceridwen pulled away from her sister, and the look on her father’s face… Even notes from debt collectors didn’t make him seem so forlorn.

“I’ll see you soon,” Ceridwen promised.

With a last round of farewells, she steeled her will and followed Jackoby to the carriage. Kent already waited in the driver’s seat behind the two sturdy brown horses whose manes and tails had been trimmed and groomed to perfection. The lacquered wood of the doors shone in the morning light, more evidence of the wealth and station of the man who owned it.

Jackoby climbed in after her, more graceful than a king. Before the horses snapped into motion, Ceridwen broke the silence with a question. “Have you been Lord Winterbourne’s butler long?”

He frowned. “No.”

She bit her lip, debating her next question. Learning more about Jackoby might help her gather some insight about Lord Winterbourne, if the man would give her more than one-word answers.

“Whom did you butler for before him?”

“No one,” he replied. “Which is why I will do my very best to be suitable for the honor Lord Winterbourne has bestowed upon me.”

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