Veracity (The Seven Cities Book 1) (16 page)

"I would never begrudge you the chance to mourn Kat. Your parents were wonderful. The entire city loved them and frankly, I don't think anyone here talks about them enough. It is like they were just erased, and forgotten. People like your parents should never be forgotten, but the cities want it to just go away. They have never even properly addressed what happened."

"I had no idea you were so passionate about it. You have never mentioned it before."

"With good reason, and it's the same reason I am going to be careful not to mention it again."

"Do we really have to be that careful in what we say?"

"Always. Words are powerful Kat."

We are deep into one of the fields now, the tall green stalks creating a barrier to the outside world. Everything is still and quiet, as enormous white clouds move slowly across the dark blue sky.

"It's beautiful here," I say. "I don't know why anyone would look down on the farming class. You would think creating life would be the highest of honors."

"You will find that the higher the class, the less useful the person," she says laughing. "No offense of course."

"No offense taken. You are absolutely right. I feel so useless sitting in the Big House. I don't think I have done one worthwhile thing since I have returned except plan this festival. When I was out in the wild I was worried about surviving. Now I just worry about living."

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Kat. The life of a lady isn't easy. We all have our obstacles. Comparing your worthiness to anyone else's is a foolish waste of time. None of us have much choice in how our life plays out, but we do choose whether or not to find joy in it."

I turn and give Sadie a hug. She laughs but warns me not to let anyone at the Big House see something like that. Especially Maggie. As we approach her Uncle's house, we find Sadie's male cousins working hard in the field, pulling weeds and turning soil in a new section for planting. They are all dirty and tired, taking off their hats to wipe the sweat from their brows. They are all tan and tall, lean and strong from years of manual labor. I notice all but one of the boys have their marks.

A short, plump woman brings the boys a tray loaded with glasses of ice water, condensation dripping down the sides. With a cheer, the boys gulp down the cool drink, returning the glasses with a kiss for their mother. Sadie's Aunt spies us walking through the field and hollers for us to head up to the house.

"We don't need you girls distracting the boys from their work!" she calls out good-heartedly.

Of course her cousins see us then, grinning shyly at me. Their mother smacks the head of the closest one lightly, and they all turn back to their work. Skirting around the herd of boys, we make our way into the cabin where her uncle is waiting.

Physically, Sadie's Uncle is the opposite in appearance to his tiny, round wife. Standing at least six feet tall, with shoulders so broad he fills the doorway, he is a formidable man. Personality wise, the couple are a perfect match. Gregarious and friendly, they have filled their house with laugher and children.

In addition to their five boys, the couple also has two young daughters. They race around the cabin squealing, their twin pigtails flopping up and down as they run. Sadie's Uncle grabs them both, one in each arm, and hauls them off to wash for lunch. The wives of the four oldest boys are standing in the kitchen, all in various stages of motherhood. Two are visibly pregnant, and the other two tote squirming toddlers. Sadie tells me the entire family still lives in the farmhouse with their parents. With each addition to the family, the cabin grows, room by room, creating a maze of hallways and bedrooms.

Our lunch is a feast completely grown from the family's farm. The vegetables have an earthy taste that reminds me of fresh air and sunshine. The bread is tough and stale, but seasoned just right to be delicious. During the meal, the conversation revolves around irrigating fields and the upcoming funeral for the mother of Sadie's aunt. They invite us to attend the grand party celebrating her move to the elder camp, and we agree. It's a mostly happy occasion, I am told, but with an undertone of sadness. It's a rite of passage, and an honor, but the party marks the last time she will see her family.

We leave the farm full and happy, taking the long way back to the Big House, weaving in and out of the fields as we go. Today was such a wonderful change of pace. At best, I expected to spend some time in the garden and maybe see a shop or two, but Sadie has made today one to remember, and I make a promise to myself to repay her in some way.

The sun sets over the white washed walls of Veracity as we make our way back to the suite. Soft music drifts from the great hall below as the musicians practice for tonight's celebration. Eager to see my planning efforts brought to life, I take the stairs two at a time, a laughing Sadie on my heels.

A few weeks ago while digging through the boxes and trunks in my dressing room, I came across an old, dusty case packed full of my mother's gowns. Enraptured with their elegant style and delicate beading, I had the dresses cleaned and mended. The style is very different than the ones popular here in Veracity, but all of the gowns are undeniably beautiful. In a small way, I feel connected to my mother when wearing them.

A little too long and tad too tight, my favorite of the gowns needed some work before I could wear it. Accepting the challenge, Maggie has been working like a mad woman for a week to have it ready for tonight's celebration. A deep emerald green, the gown features a bell shaped skirt with layers upon layers of delicate petticoats. Elegant dropped sleeves bare both shoulders, and hundreds of intricate beads and rhinestones grace the bodice. Smiling to myself, I picture Grayson's, or rather, Travis' face when I walk in to the ballroom.

Making our way into the dressing room, we see Maggie crouched on the floor, her hands flying with needle and thread.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"There was a little mishap with your dress," Maggie says.

"What kind of mishap?"

"When I came in this afternoon there was a rather substantial rip in the skirt and one of the sleeves had been torn off."

"Oh, no," I moan. "How could something like this have happened? I saw it just yesterday, and it was perfect. Who would want to destroy my mother's gown?"

"I can take a wild guess," Sadie mutters.

"You don't think she would really . . ."

"Of course she would! That girl has had it out for you since the day she got here."

"I don't want to place blame where it doesn't belong, but I can't think of anyone else who could have done this," Maggie says, shaking her head.

"We could have her scanned," Sadie says. "They might send her to the work camp, but it would serve her right for all the things she has done."

"Now, now . . ." Maggie chides. "There is no reason to ruin a girl's life over something as small as a ripped gown."

"But it was her mother's gown," Sadie says stubbornly. "She should be punished."

"Yes," I say brokenhearted, "but if she leaves, you and I will be stuck back in this suite. Travis and Laura take me out when they can, but what about you? Is one day off really enough now that we have had such freedom?"

"We can't let her get away with this! Where is she anyway?" Sadie fumes.

"Amber came and borrowed her to get ready," Maggie says. "I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't have something to do with this as well. You go ahead and get ready, Katherine, and don't fret, I may just save this dress after all."

Maggie continues working on the gown and I head to the bath to get ready. While I bathe, I am unable to stop thinking about Alana. Should I turn her in? Would it do any good to damn her to a life of labor over a dress? If I don't say anything, will she take it as a sign that I am weak? Would her behavior get worse if she didn't think there were any consequences for her actions?

"Let's do something different with your hair tonight," Sadie says after my bath, trying to draw me out of my foul mood. "Even if she can't fix the gown, you have got so many lovely things to wear. Let's show those awful girls that you won't be taken down so easily."

Instead of piling my hair on my head like she normally does, Sadie lets my hair fall loose around my shoulders, pulling back the sides near my temples with twin braids that join together at the back. It is simple, but stunning. I have gotten so used to seeing my hair tied back, I almost forgot what it looked like down. Holding a small mirror up, I look at the back through the vanity. It falls in soft waves, the color a rich brown in the firelight.

"You've out done yourself, Sadie. It's lovely."

"It will get some attention," she says. "It's not the style to wear it loose, hasn't been for a long time, but I have a feeling it is about to make a comeback."

Walking into the dressing room, I burst into tears at the sight of my gown. Some how, Maggie has managed to make it even better than it was before. With great skill, she cut away and hemmed back the damaged portion of the skirt, revealing the lacy frills of the petticoats below. Instead of repairing the torn sleeve, she removed them both, making the bodice daring and bold. I can't remember ever seeing anyone wearing a dress that bared both shoulders and arms so completely.

The effect created by the now unusual gown and the unique hairstyle is one of exotic elegance. With the help of my maids, I have been transformed into the foreign princess the people of Veracity see me as. One thing is for certain, there would be no blending in tonight.

As expected, Travis is waiting for me in the sitting room. His bright, blue eyes nearly pop out of his head at the sight of me. He opens his mouth and closes it quickly, deciding to keep whatever comment he was about to make to himself. His characteristic grin is slow to appear but when it does, I can't help but laugh.

"You are breathtaking," he says. "You might very well start a riot in that dress."

"Don't be silly. It's just a dress. I know it is a little different, but there will be so many people there, I doubt anyone will even notice me."

"Don't kid yourself, darling. You look amazing and every eye will be on you tonight. Half with longing, the other half with jealousy."

"Should I change?"

"Over my dead body! I want to show my beautiful fiancée off. Let's go make some jaws drop."

Travis was right about all the attention. I may have been able to slip by unnoticed by myself, but with golden Travis by my side? Not a chance. We walk in and the music stops. Sure it was the end of the song, but it still made for an awkward entrance. I hear a collective gasp when we are announced followed by the applause of delighted guests. They love us together because we complete the picture of romantic harmony that they have created in their minds. The little princess and the golden son, hand in hand across the dance floor. I see the men sigh and the women fawn as we make our way through the crowd.

As we near the front of the room, I see three faces that are not in sync with the masses. Grayson stands straight as a board, his eyes fire and brimstone as he stares at Travis and me. What have we done to incite this kind of reaction from him? I turn from Grayson's weighted stare only to meet Amber's. My blood runs cold at the sight of her. She is seething. Her small body is swallowed by the mounds of fabric of her maternity gown, her pretty face contorted in astonished rage. She did not expect to see me wearing this gown; that much is very clear. Her anger is formidable, but it can't hold a candle to the malice I see in the face next to hers.

Alana is standing next to Amber looking very plain in her maid's uniform, her body coiled in anxious disbelief. She had wanted to ruin my night, to make me suffer, but here I am, soft, plain Kat, looking more beautiful than if she had left well enough alone. She makes eye contact with me and I feel the full weight of her anger. Her eyes cut to Travis for an instant, and in that moment her expression tells me everything.

She had wanted Travis.

The marriage arrangement that fell through was between Alana and Travis? Of course she hates me! How far did this plan get? Surely it was just a failed scheme of Amber's. I had only been gone a short time. Would he have agreed to a new marriage that quickly? Travis has never made any indication that he even knew who Alana was, so I can't believe Amber's plan had gone very far. But did Alana know that?

At least it all makes sense now. Alana hates me because she believes I took the life she was supposed to have. By returning, I had cast her down to a servant when she would have been so much more. In her eyes, I was her downfall; and now the rock in her shoe, a constant reminder of what she would never have. How cruel Amber was to bring her here. She knew Alana wouldn't be able to control her actions around me. She knew she would cause trouble out of spite. Amber had no issues breaking her own cousin's fragile heart further, as long as it meant I would be unhappy. Was Amber's jealousy of me really that strong?

I tighten my grip on Travis, suddenly needing his support. He shoots me a concerned look but I smile, and he grins back, glowing with the attention we are receiving. We reach the others and the General swoops me up off my feet and spins me around in the air before setting me down again.

"My girl you are a sight to behold!" he bellows. "My son couldn't have done any better, heck if the timing had been different, I would have snatched you up for myself."

I grab for Travis, unsteady from the unexpected assault. He runs a soft hand over my hair laying down the wayward strands.

"Father," Travis says. "I see you have been drinking already this evening."

"It's a party isn't it? What's so wrong with telling my beautiful daughter-in-law how lovely she is?"

"Nothing at all father," Travis sighs, "But maybe your own pretty wife could do with a little attention?"

"Oh, mufflefluff. . . that grumpy woman puts me in a bad mood."

"Mufflefluff?" Travis says looking concerned. "Father I think we need to get some food in you, Kat if you would excuse me for a moment?"

"Of course," I say embarrassed.

I feel like I am on fire from the stares I continue to get from Grayson, Amber, and Alana. As Travis drags his father out of the ballroom and into the dining area, I look around the now hostile environment for a way to escape. I doubt it could get any worse at this point, so without a word, I spin on my heels and hurry across the room, ducking through the door leading to the library. I am more concerned with getting out of there, than what anyone might think of me. True to form, Katherine the brave is the first to run in a delicate situation.

So much for my exciting night! I can't even enjoy a ball around here. Everyone in this family is completely nuts. I hope it doesn't take Travis long to deal with his father and can find me when he does. I am not venturing back out there without him.

I curl up in a window seat, my skirt and petticoats tucked under me the best I can manage, and bury my face in a book. In just a few minutes of reading, I am completely enthralled by the story. I can't help but find the main character, a Queen named Elizabeth, absolutely fascinating. Standing before her entire country, she had the courage to swear to her court never to marry. How bold and outrageous something like that would be today. There was a woman with that much power? I don't even get to decide what I eat for breakfast, much less who I am going to spend my life with. I devour page after page as the party goes on in the next room. I ignore it all until a voice makes me jump out of my skin.

"I have been standing here a good five minutes without you noticing," Grayson says.

"I didn't mean to ignore you. I was waiting for Travis and got caught up in this book. It's fascinating."

"You remind me of Beauty."

"I remind you of what?" I ask blushing.

"Not what, who. Beauty is a woman in a fairy tale. She was by far the most beautiful woman who lived in her village."

"I don't see the connection."

"Should I finish the story or start trying to convince you how lovely you are?"

"Finish the story please. If I blush any harder I may just pass out."

"It is an adorable habit, but I would rather you stayed conscious, of course."

"I appreciate that."

"Beauty loved books," he says pulling up a chair next to the window seat. "She craved them, with a passion she reserved only for the pursuit of knowledge. She let the conquest of learning take over her entire life and left no room for anything else. Men from all over the country would try to win her love, but she turned them all down."

"And this reminds you of me?" I laugh.

"A beauty in a library is what I see before me. That is what reminded me of the story."

I feel the heat in my cheeks again. What is wrong with me?

"Be careful," he teases, "I would hate to have to carry you back to your room."

"Oh don't be silly. Tell your story."

"One day," he says, "Beauty heard of a grand library, the largest one for a thousand miles. She was obsessed with finding it, almost driven mad by the thought of it. Everyone warned her not to go but she wouldn't listen. Determined to find it, and absorb all the knowledge it held, she traveled through a dark and dangerous forest until she found a castle. She snuck inside and wandered the halls for hours until she finally found the library."

"Was she happy then?"

"For a few moments, but then she heard a great growling from behind one of the shelves, and a giant beast stepped out from behind them. He walked toward her, his teeth bared and dripping, his claws scratching against the bookcases. She begged him to let her go, but he snatched her by the arm and dragged her away. He took her down into the deepest parts of the castle and left her there. She spent the rest of her life slowly rotting away in the dark without so much as a few words to sate her famished mind."