The first thing Avaline had done after seeing Sebastian and Delilah off was to confront Vivian. Of all the things she could have done and said, these were the worst. Elaine wisely took the children upstairs, and Charles went to visit their mother. Marie had returned to her position, which lessened the burden of taking care of her.
Vivian poured herself another glass of wine. A gift, Avaline learned, from Sebastian.
"Why did you do that?" Avaline placed a hand on her hip.
"I did what Charles should have done," Vivian said. "He's agreeing to this way too easily."
Avaline slammed her hand down on the table. "Charles respects my decision. Why can't you?"
Her throat closed with anger and sadness. Of everyone in the house, she expected Vivian to be on her side.
"I'm doing this for your own good," Vivian said. She placed the bottle down. "You don't understand what Blackburry will do once they learn you're in a relationship with a blood-born."
"Does it matter?" Avaline cried out. "What other man will accept that I must work for a living? He doesn't have a prejudice against our family like everyone else. Why can't I be with a man like that?"
Vivian stood. She grabbed Avaline's hands.
"Sister, are you sure you're not trading yourself for his favor?"
Stun, Avaline yanked her hands away. Tears swelled in her eyes. She blinked them away quickly.
"I think you've had too much to drink." Her voice broke. "Good night."
Lifting the skirt of her gown, Avaline walked out of the dining room. The dim lighting followed her upstairs, and as the shadows darkened, she allowed herself a few tears.
***
Avaline had never heard of evening tea until she received an invitation from Lady Ophelia. It came the next morning, after the dinner with the Nightingales. Through red shot eyes, Avaline read the invitation. Lady Ophelia wanted to meet in town at a cafe located in the blood-born district. It was only called that due to the many shops that mostly catered to blood-born patrons.
"The courier is downstairs," Lottie said. "What should I tell him?"
Avaline rubbed her tired eyes. "I'll go. Let Peter know."
"Yes, my lady."
As Avaline washed herself, the cold water soothed the dryness of her eyes. She didn't remember getting much sleep the night before. Only her tear-stained pillows knew of her nightly plight. Even if Vivian was displeased by Charles's announcement, Avaline decided to revel in the victory instead.
She dressed in a while blouse with a blue skirt. Yet, as she stared at herself in the mirror, Vivian's words rang through her head. Dressed in old clothes, how would the rest of society perceive her? Rubbing her hands on her legs, Avaline glanced at her wardrobe. The repurposed attire wasn't entirely a bad thing. It proved how resourceful her family was.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Avaline whispered to herself.
After a whole day of studying with the twins, working on the pair of gloves for Sebastian, Avaline rode the carriage into town. Thanks to Lady Ophelia, the dinner wasn't a true disaster. Even if it was out of the ordinary, the least Avaline could do was accept the invitation for tea.
A veil of pink and orange greeted Avaline as she stepped out of the carriage. The streets were empty save a few dark garbed figures with parasols. The cafe had large windows with potted plants under them. The inside was cozy with the rich aroma of tea and sweets. The ground tables were made of metal, twisted in the shape of vines and other flowers.
Avaline wiped her hands on her skirt and looked for Lady Ophelia. Other than a couple near the window, no one else was present.
The girl at the counter smiled as she approached.
"I'm looking for Lady Ophelia," Avaline said.
"Right through there."
A curtain to the left indicated another area. After a grateful smile, Avaline walked through. Here, the room had no windows. Instead, lights flooded the walls, and blood-born patrons ate and drank. A few might have turned their heads, but Avaline couldn't be sure. When she blinked, everyone was still in their conversations.
She found Lady Ophelia near the back of the room with a sweet cake and a red tea waiting for her. After exchanging pleasantries, Avaline sat. The cushion on the metal seat was a lot more comfortable than she had expected.
"I hope I'm not too late," Avaline began.
"I'm glad you can join me on such short notice," Lady Ophelia said. She gestured to the tea. "I hope it is to your liking."
Avaline took a tentative sip, and her eyes widened. The tea tasted like peaches. She had only tried them once in her youth when a merchant brought them from overseas. The taste was unmistakable.
"This is delicious," Avaline said, taking another sip. "I didn't know the cafe had such stock."
Lady Ophelia had a ghostly smile. "It pays to know the owner of this establishment."
Leaning forward, Avaline said, "Thank you for your help. The dinner was a success. If there is something I can do in return, don't hesitate to say."
"Don't be quick to say so," Lady Ophelia said. "Though I must admit, my curiosity got the better of me. It's not every day you hear rumors that a distinguished blood-born is entertaining...a human."
Under her unwavering gaze, Avaline shifted in her seat. Curiosity also meant gossip.
"Was your curiosity satisfied?" Avaline dared to ask.
The lady smiled. "In a way, yes," she said. "I'd like to think I played my part well."
Avaline sipped her tea. "You did."
When Lady Ophelia laughed, it sounded like a fairy. "Then, in return, all I hope for is this: you join me once in a while and have tea."
"That is all?" Avaline asked with a frown.
"Well, I do hope you can regale me with tales of a certain distinguished member of society." Her eyes twinkled.
To hear tales of Sebastian, why would she want that? Avaline felt a twinge of jealousy in her chest. For a woman to ask about one's lover, it didn't sit well with her.
"I'm afraid there isn't much to tell," Avaline said.
Lady Ophelia finished her drink. "Perhaps not," she said, "but judging how he's coming to your rescue, I think there is."
Confused, Avaline turned. Her eyes widened seeing Sebastian in the doorway. The green suit he wore today with the black shirt and gold cufflinks drew many eyes. Avaline turned back to Lady Ophelia, stunned. Had it been a ploy to lure Sebastian out of hiding?
"Lord Nightingale," Lady Ophelia said with a polite smile as Lord Nightingale approached the table. "It's so difficult to be in your presence. Why I sent many invitations to welcome you to Blackburry, and I was surprise to them decline."
"I was preoccupied," Sebastian answered smoothly. He turned to Avaline. "Pardon my tardiness, my lady."
Avaline stood and curtseyed to Lady Ophelia. "It seems my prior engagement is here. Please pardon my early departure."
Lady Ophelia laughed again. "Be on your way."
Outside the cafe, Avaline breathed a sigh of relief. Worried, she turned to Sebastian.
"Forgive me," she rushed to say. "I didn't know what she intended. Lady Ophelia helped me with dinner preparations. It was only fair I joined her."
As they walked down the street, Sebastian kept his silence. Avaline bit her bottom lip. Was he upset?
"Are you unharmed?" he finally asked.
She frowned. "Yes. Why?" Fearfully, she glanced over her shoulder. "Was she going to hurt me?"
Sebastian pulled her into an empty alley and pulled Avaline into his chest. Avaline blinked in surprise at the sudden embrace. Feeling shy, she wrapped her arms around him.
"It is my fault," he muttered into her hair. "I ignored my people, and they knew when my attention was drawn toward you. I should have been more careful."
Avaline shook her head. "I was the one coming and going from your home." She glanced up at him, and their noses almost touched. "I won't accept invitations from her anymore."
His lips brushed her forehead. "You should," he said. "She's knowledgeable about the comings and goings of Blackburry, or so I'm told."
Avaline raised an eyebrow. "Has the good Lord Nightingale stayed secluded in his manor since his arrival?"
With a playful growl, he nuzzled her neck. A gasp of surprise burst from Avaline's lips. She giggled at his tickling touch.
"Why would I concern myself with others when you were in my home?" His lips brushed against her ear.
Avaline shivered. An ache settled in her chest.
"If you say it like that," she breathed. "I almost think you are fond of me."
His low smile and the heat of his gaze brought butterflies to Avaline's stomach.
"Quite."
Blushing, Avaline turned away. The day had grown darker, but it was light enough to see the reds, blues, and purples across the sky.
"Did you come here for me, or was there another reason?" she asked.
"I suppose Delilah asked me for a few things," he said. "Care to join me?"
Avaline grinned. "Most definitely."
Arm in arm, the couple stepped out into the street.