The Herbwitch's Apprentice Ireen Chau (best life changing books txt) 📖

deeper into my bodice. “I have to relieve myself,” I said.

Karen huffed. “You can wait.”

“It’s an emergency.”

She made a face. “Fine. Make it quick.”

I rushed from the room and ran to the servant’s hall to grab the parcel of gold from my room. With the gold in tow, I called a horse chaise to the outskirts of town. The ride took fifteen minutes and I relished sitting down for once. When I arrived, I burst into Miriam’s shop.

“Welcome to Miriam’s—my goodness.” The witch stared at me in shock.

“Can you tell Lana that I cannot make it today?” I said.

“I’ll pass on the message, but—”

I dumped the parcel on her table, rattling the snail-ridden tree branch. “And please give this to her.”

Miriam stared. “Very well, but what—?”

“Great. See you later!”

I was out the door and back on the chaise before she could say anything. There was little traffic on the way back, though several flocks of pigeons crowded the streets. The driver narrowly avoided them. I rushed back to Narcissa’s chambers before thirty minutes was up.

Karen gave me a dirty look. “What took you so long?”

I feigned embarrassment. “I’m not sure you’d want the details.”

This disgusted Karen enough that she left me well alone as I polished the remainder of the windows.

WHEN NARCISSA RETURNED that evening she had a smile on her face. I stood warily as she cut her chicken into small cubes.

“Mother is hosting the soirée tomorrow night,” she said. She took a sip of her wine. “You will have to attend, of course.”

I almost laughed. Attending another Season event was the last thing on my mind.

“You expect me to go like this?” I said, spreading my arms. The servant’s uniform Madam Josephine had given me was wrinkled and stained. The rough fabric was torn where Misty had clawed me. I couldn’t imagine the state of my hair.

Narcissa rose from her seat and circled me like a hawk. Her scrutiny made me uncomfortable, as if she could pounce at any moment. “I admit I didn’t think you would last this long,” she said. “Karen. Come here.”

The maid hurried over at her call and bobbed a curtsy. A new set of pearls shone from her earlobes. “Yes, milady?”

“Draw a bath for Amarante. Tonight, she will be taking your chambers.”

Karen’s jaw dropped. “B-but milady! You can’t possibly—”

“Are you refusing my orders?” Narcissa narrowed her eyes.

“No, milady,” Karen said. She exited the room, but not before shooting me a poisonous glare.

I would have gloated if not for my confusion.

Narcissa leaned back in her seat. “You will be made presentable. After all, we cannot have your friends thinking something is wrong,” she said.

I felt a pang at the mention of my friends. A part of me wished I was brave enough to tell them the truth before any of this happened. There was no way I could pretend everything was fine when it wasn’t. Genevieve especially would see right through me. And Ash. He would wonder why I hadn’t been frequenting the library.

“I trust that you will not speak to them,” Narcissa said.

“What?”

“You will spend the event with me,” she said, taking another sip of wine. “You will not be allowed to wander.”

My anger rose. “That wasn’t a part of our agreement.”

A flash of irritation crossed Narcissa’s face. “Do you think I want to spend this much time around you?” she said in disgust. “You are a threat to my mother, Amarante. She wants you contained so you will be contained.”

“Are you going to make me your slave forever?” I said, raising my voice. “Aren’t you tired of having a traitor as a mother?”

Narcissa slammed her hand on the table, rattling the silverware. “I’d rather my mother be a traitor than a witch,” she spat. The venom in her words stung me and I stumbled back. She downed the last of her wine. “Do as I say or everyone will know what a monster you are.”

“The only monster here is you,” I said.

I barely had time to react before Narcissa slapped me hard across the face.

“Say that again,” she hissed.

Karen came back in at that moment. “The bath is ready, milady,” she said, her voice strained.

Narcissa stepped back. Her expression was once again a blank canvas. “Clean yourself,” she said, turning her back to me. “Tomorrow you will look like royalty.”

25

The gentlemen were gawking at me. It was the second most uncomfortable thing at the moment, the first being the scandalously tight gown and itchy lace gloves Narcissa lent me. My scalp ached from Karen’s rough combing.

As promised, I entered the palace parlor with Narcissa. My arms were tucked behind me. The black lace did wonders in concealing the scratches and calluses that I had acquired, but I felt as though the scrutiny of the room could cut through fabric.

I kept my head down as I followed Narcissa to the card tables where the duchess was standing with a few older women. They left when we approached.

“Narcissa. You brought her.”

I curtsied, though paying respects to Duchess Wilhelmina was the last thing I wanted to do.

“Yes, Mother.” Narcissa’s face was unreadable.

The duchess smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Miss Flora, I do hope you enjoy tonight’s festivities. I’m afraid it will be a while before you get a chance to do so again.”

To others it may have appeared the duchess was speaking of the next Season event, which wasn’t for another ten days, but I figured her real meaning. I wouldn’t be released from my punishment any time soon.

“I will try to relish it, Your Grace,” I said stiffly.

“Good.” Duchess Wilhelmina glided away and gave her daughter a look I couldn’t decipher.

A woman from the card table began conversing with Narcissa, which gave me the freedom to look about the room. I recognized Tori in the gaggle of debutantes by the sofas. Genevieve was with her and they appeared to be distracted, no doubt wondering where I was.

I hadn’t even sent them a note this week. My palms dampened