Author's note: This is amazing. We're officially halfway through the alphabet (with this chapter, just over half) and you all seem to think it's worth 56 reviews. I love each and every review you send it, anonymous or otherwise! Thank you all so much!

To PryingLittlePandora: You're awesome! :D

Disclaimer: The Infernal Devices is not mine. I'm just borrowing it :)

Nudge

Granville Fairchild studied the young man standing nervously in his study. A shock of red hair and a sprinkle of freckles paired with sparkling hazel eyes ensured that the lad would never be considered handsome, but there was a certain friendliness and warmth to him. Henry Branwell by name, he was—friendliness aside—gangly and a bit awkward. Certainly no match for Charlotte's strong presence.

And yet there was something about this boy that had caught Lottie's eye. Granville had noticed the way she looked at him—even though she tried to be subtle. Henry was the first boy to make her look twice.

Granville briefly considered the boy's eccentric tendencies and how he may affect Charlotte's reputation, but then he remembered that Charlotte would never run the Institute without a husband.

"Very well," he finally said. "You have my blessing, young man."

An astonished grin split Henry's face. He spluttered incoherently for a few moments before managing to exclaim, "Thank you, sir!"

Granville smiled at the boy's enthusiasm. They might be a good match after all, he decided. They certainly shared a mutual attraction and many marriages had lasted on much less. Hopefully they knew that their feelings were mutual.

If they didn't, Granville was not above giving them a gentle push in the right direction.

Never

Jem was appalled. "No," he said, firmly shaking his head. "Never."

"Why not?"

"Because it is simply not right."

Jessamine huffed. "I do not understand why you think that."

Jem tried not to stare at her. How could a human be so heartless?

She rolled her eyes at him and defiantly reached to take the last of the chocolate tarts.

At that very moment, Will strode into the dining room. He froze as he watched Jessamine devour the morsel, his eyes darkening with rage. In fact, he looked as though he might kill Jessamine.

Jem did not think he would try to prevent it this time.

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