Page 38 of The Prince and His Stolen Groom
Franny raised her eyebrows.
Kit shook their head, their helmet clanking loudly.
Franny mouthed something I couldn’t see from this angle.
Kit hesitated, shook their head again, then gestured vaguely.
Franny shook her head.
Tired of watching the back-and-forth, I covered my eyes with one arm, waiting for them to finish. “How’d your tea taste today?” I didn’t know if Franny’s would have the same strangeness mine did, but it was worth asking.
“Normal. Why?”
I shrugged, deciding not to tell her the Good Wizard’s theory.
She allowed me to sit there for a few minutes before asking, “About the book?”
I pushed myself up and scowled at her. “Do you really hate my company so much?”
Her expression softened and she reached across the gap to pat my hand. “Of course not, Fred, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. You can stay right here as long as you want.”
I nodded tersely and laid back down. “What were you two talking about?”
“Oh, we were discussing other books we’ve both read! LikeRavished at Midnight!”Franny exclaimed, holding up a familiar book.
I choked and coughed, sitting up to look at them both with wide eyes.Why the hell does everyone keep talking about that book today?
“We were exploring some of the symbolism in the text,” Kit explained.
I eyed them skeptically. “What kind of symbolism would be in a book about ravishing?”
“Oh, all sorts,” Franny said, waving her hand flippantly. “You’d be surprised how deep modern romances are. They’re full of social commentary and beautiful, heart-felt analogies.”
“Yeah, but isn’t ravishing a bit …” I didn’t know how to finish that sentence politely.
“It’s not romanticizing assault if that’s what you’re asking,” Kit said. “It’s about a woman who was forced into an arranged marriage to a man forty years her senior. She falls in love with the man’s steward, and they have to navigate their feelings without ruining each other’s lives.”
“And uh, where does the ravishing come in?”
“Oh, that’s because the old man is in bed by midnight, so they always meet at that time. That’s when their feelings reach a point of no return.” Franny heaved a dreamy sigh, her hands clasped to her chest. “Their passion knows no bounds and the love scenes arequiteactive.”
So, my sister and Kit were bonding over smut. Weirder yet, smut that Brendon also read. I wouldn’t have guessed that from his letters. He never mentioned anything about ravishing or bridal revenge, but maybe he would have if Franny had ever written him back.
They continued chatting like I wasn’t even there. After a half-hour, I finally gave in and stood up. “I’ll go get your book.” I needed the excuse to head off to the tower again anyway.
“With your face like that?” Franny squeaked.
I frowned at her. “Is it that bad?”
“It’sawful.”
“Fran,” Kit scolded gently, but then they added, “It does look … kind of contagious.”
“It’s not.” At least, the wizard didn’t act like it.
“I have some makeup—”
Despite how the story began, I didn’t actually have an interest in wearing my sister’s makeup. “No one’s going to see me. It’s a quick trip there and back.” I mean, Brendon would see me, but I’d already burned that bridge. A rash could hardly make things worse. Actually, it might help—he was too touchy-feely, and I would need a clear head when I spoke to him.
