Amber hummed to herself softly as she walked down the marketplace pathway. She had sent a letter off to Mystica Prata and now wanted to just enjoy herself. Normally, she would let one of the servants send the mail off but that day, Amber needed a break from some of the mayhem at Cantata Hall. The previous day, James had gotten the foolish idea to try mounting his horse by jumping on the saddle from the stable roof. It hadn't gone well at all. The horse had been very startled and James got thrown. Fortunately, he'd managed to get away with only bruises and scrapes. All the same, their parents had not been thrilled in the least bit and the reckless teenager got sentenced to mucking the stables until further notice. Days like this made it hard for Amber to believe her twin was actually eighteen.
He certainly doesn't act like it some days.
"Miss Cyning, what a pleasant surprise."
Amber barely concealed her disdain as she came face to face with someone who was a known gossip. A vicious gossip at that.
"Mrs. Haine, I didn't expect to see you." Amber barely kept her tone civil.
"No one ever does," the batty woman replied. "Tell me, I haven't seen your mousy haired shadow anywhere recently. She didn't run away did she?"
"My sister has not run away. In fact, she received an invitation to go to Mystica Prata."
Mrs. Haine snickered. "And do what? Serve as a chambermaid to some sickly orphan? That peasant won't amount to much."
Amber felt her blood boil. "Do not insult my sister like that! She is a better lady than you ever were! And speaking of ladies, she is the personal guest of Lady Hexley, Marchioness of Hexley Hall. Her Ladyship is very fond of my sister."
Mrs. Haines sputtered. "Lady Hexley? Cousin and dearest friend to the late queen? Wife of one of the king's oldest friends and advisors? You're bluffing. To receive so much as a compliment from her is a huge honor."
"Yes, that Lady Hexley. And no, I am not bluffing. Sofia has been there for over a month. And Lady Hexley is enjoying her company very much. You might want to rethink what you say and to whom you say those things. You never know what higher power you'll end up insulting."
Mrs. Haine's face was all shades of red and purple as she stormed away. As she disappeared, Amber heaved a sigh of relief. That sorry excuse of a woman grinded on her nerves very badly.
No longer in the mood to walk through the marketplace, Amber went home. As she entered, one of the maids hurried up to her.
"Excuse me Miss, an express rider just delivered a letter from Hexley Hall."
Amber's eyes widened. She'd only received a letter from Sofia the day before.
I hope nothing's happened.
As Amber looked at the letter, her worries jumped further. She did not recognize the handwriting the address was written in.
"No, no, no," Amber muttered as she walked down the hallway.
"Is something wrong, Amber?"
Amber nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Miranda's voice. She looked up and saw Roland there as well.
"I don't know," Amber admitted. "A letter just arrived from Hexley Hall and I don't recognize the handwriting."
"Do you want one of us to read it?" Roland asked.
Amber glanced at the envelope.
"No, I'll read it."
Amber opened the envelope and pulled out the card.
"At the behest of Lady Hexley, you are cordially…" Amber's eyes widened and she began laughing. "Oh my, this is too good! There is no way Sofia knows about this!"
Roland and Miranda glanced at each other before looking at their eldest.
"What is it?" Roland asked.
Amber held the card out to her parents as she was beginning to laugh too hard to explain. They looked over the words, their eyes very nearly bulging out of their sockets.
"Now how do you suppose Lady Hexley learned this bit of information?" Roland asked. "I don't think Sofia would have told her this."
"No, but Violet could have been intimidated into giving up that information," Amber said. "Better start planning. I don't know about you, but I'm going. I just wish I could see Sofia's reaction when she finds out about this."