Avaline walked down the streets, visiting every bookshop she could find. She'd browsed through shelves looking for books on blood-born. Other than a few on Luna, Avaline didn't find anything else. Even asking the proprietress didn't help. They crinkled their noses or blatantly told Avaline to look somewhere else.
After visiting the third shop that morning, Avaline gritted her teeth at the frustration. She had one book in her possession, about the Luan religion. It wouldn't be nearly enough. She stomped down the street and came upon the last bookstore on this side.
The dead plants at the front of the shop would deter most patrons, but Avaline didn't care. She didn't want to waste a trip into town. Squaring her shoulders, she walked inside.
The blend of old paper and leather tickled her nose. Avaline breathed in deeply, and some of the tension eased from her shoulders. Shelves of books lined the walls of this small shop. They had an upstairs level accessed by a winding staircase.
Avaline clutched her bag as she read through the spines of the books. Her steps echoed in the otherwise quiet shop. She hadn't seen a proprietor on the way in. Many of the book titles were faded or were missing some part of the title.
After moving through the room, Avaline found another doorway with a curtain. The sign said there were more books beyond. Avaline dipped inside. Despite the lack of windows, the room was lit with candles, which were protected in glass cases.
Underneath their lights, Avaline browsed through the books. Halfway through the first shelf, she found what she was looking for. Smiling with relief, Avaline placed her bag down and read through the spines. Blood of Heaven. Lords of Eternity. Spirits under the Moon.
Avaline slid the first book off the shelf and skimmed through the pages. From what she read, the book was about blood-born nobility and the royal bloodline. She bit her lip. Would the information here be useful? If she could find books on social hierarchy, culture, and arts, she could be better informed.
Most of the books here were worn but still in good condition. She would be able to afford more than two. After obtaining a pile from the various shelves, Avaline headed back into the main room. The proprietor, a Mr. Hendrick, greeted her at the desk. He was a thin man with hawkish features and a goatee.
"Find everything you need?" His voice was low yet easily heard.
"I believe so," Avaline said. She glanced at the six books. "If I may, are these-"
"Oh my, Lady Stark," cawed a shrill voice by the doorway.
Avaline winced. With a well-trained smile, she turned to Sheila, one of Lady Madeline's daughters. Her blonde curls adorned her oval-shaped face. A bonnet sat securely on her head with an exaggerated bow below her chin.
Beside her stood another lady with short brown hair. Avaline didn't recognize her. She had been out of the social loop for too long.
"What a surprise," Sheila continued. "I thought I saw a familiar dress in the window and look who it turned out to be: Lady Stark."
Avaline clenched her jaw. Sheila wasn't wrong yet; courtesy dictated turning a blind eye. Of course, not everyone did, and they found plenty of creative ways to remind you of them. Sheila was one of them.
"Your tongue is as sharp as ever," Avaline said. "To what do I owe this pleasure? Have you gone through the eligible bachelors in town?"
The brown-haired lady beside her turned away, a hand to her lips.
Sheila snapped her fan open. She strutted around, turning her nose at the worn books on the shelves. When her gaze settled on the books on the counter, Sheila's eyes flared with cruelty.
"Studying for a new profession?" She smirked. "The financial crisis of the Stark family must be dire, indeed."
Avaline's face burned. Her hands shook in rage. She gripped her bag tightly. Her palms itched. One good hit would shut her mouth pretty quickly, but Avaline knew she mustn't. That would get Sheila what she wanted. Besides, hadn't she heard the mockery before?
"The pursuit of knowledge is not for you to mock," Avaline said tightly. "Perhaps you should try it. Your imagination needs refinement."
"Excuse me," said another voice. "If you're not purchasing anything, please leave. You're obstructing business."
Avaline glanced behind Sheila. A woman in a dark gown wearing a lace veil stood at the doorway. She stepped inside. The brown-haired lady quickly moved out of the way, her shoulders hunched. Sheila turned.
"Let's go, Lady Abbot."
The two ladies walked out of the shop. Avaline wiped her hands on her skirt. Her temples throbbed. Now she remembered why she hadn't cared for societal gatherings.
Avaline curtsied. "Forgive the commotion."
The lady in black lifted her veil. The blood-borne lady's pale skin was flawless. Her high cheekbones gave her a refined look.
"Welcome, Lady Ophelia," said the proprietor. "Pardon for the noise."
Lady Ophelia cast her glance at Avaline, whose back stiffened then at the books on the counter.
"Think nothing of it," she said in a similar song-like voice. To Avaline, she said, "I hope you found what you're looking for."
"I hope that I have," she answered. "I'd like to expand my knowledge, but I'm unsure whether I've chosen correctly."
Lady Ophelia walked to the counter. "I do have a few recommendations. Would you like to know them?"
Avaline smiled. "Yes. Thank you."
The lady turned to the proprietor. "Daniel, if we can get your help with this."
Avaline stood aside as the proprietor moved around the shop collecting and returning books to the shelves. Ten minutes later, Avaline paid too little for the books. As Avaline stepped away, Lady Ophelia handed the owner a list, and he ventured to gather the books.
Remembering her manners, Avaline placed the heavy bag on the ground and curtseyed.
"Lady Avaline Stark greets Lady Ophelia. May Luna shine upon your path."
Lady Ophelia curtseyed in response. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, even if it was under such circumstances."
Avaline folded her hands above her belly. "I agree. Thank you for your assistance, my lady."
Lady Ophelia smiled. 'I'm sure you would have handled it without me. You seem capable enough. I'd dislike the prattling of the intolerant."
"As do I."
Spotting her family's carriage outside, Avaline curtsied. "Thank you once again. I must be going."
Avaline lugged her bag outside. With the books she had bought and fabric, she had plenty of things to work on.
Peter brought the carriage to a stop in front of Avaline. Inside, Charles grabbed the bag for her and set it on the seat beside him. Avaline joined him, and soon they were on the way home.
The way Charles scowled into the wall near her head told her everything she needed to know. Asking about the trip to the bank was not a good idea.
"I saw Lady Sheila today," she told him. "Ran her mouth like she knew everything, too."
Charles turned sharply to her. "Did you get into an altercation?"
Avaline swallowed a laugh. "No. However, if there are rumors about our family again, it is her doing."
Charles rubbed his face. "Avaline, why is it that you're never careful?"
Avaline crossed her arms. "I had to correct her," she said. "Lady Sheila loves to spout nonsense and calls it news. I couldn't let her say whatever she wanted."
"At least it wasn't Vivian," he muttered.
This time, Avaline snorted. "She would have had an altercation."
Charles turned away to hide his smile. "Yes. She would have."
As the worry diminished on his features, Avaline smiled softly. She wanted the day to come when her brother didn't have to shoulder all the responsibility.