Impending Reprisals Read Online Free PDF Page B

allowed the statement to affect her, she forced out a laugh and attempted to make light of the situation. “Oh, do be serious, Seda.”
    “Who says I am not?”
    Anya’s emerald eyes narrowed as she looked down at Sedalene, crouched at her feet to straighten her hem. “What do you mean?”
    “Has your father told you who your escort is this evening?”
    “No. Of course, I did not bother to ask either. Whomever he chose is fine and, I am sure, certainly no one I will get excited over.”
    Sedalene nodded, donning a sly expression as she returned her attention to the black lace-lined gown.
    “You have me curious, Seda. Who shall be accompanying me? Obviously, you must know, and apparently find it to be quite amusing.”
    Sedalene chuckled as she straightened. “It is no one.”
    Anya scowled and let out a heavy sigh. “Seda!”
    “I told you…no one.”
    Anya opened her mouth to plead for answers, but Sedalene interrupted. “Child, listen to me. Literally no one is escorting you.”
    “Father is sending me without an escort?! However will that appear? Why would he do that to me?”
    Her nanny shrugged. “Your father will ride with you to the ball, and introduce you to your escort once there.”
    “What kind of a man does not accompany a woman from her home?”
    “Perhaps one that is uncomfortable with riding in the lord’s carriage.”
    “It is well known by all that the lordship sends his carriage for me out of guilt. He is forever attempting to rectify the events in the alley by sending lavish transportation, and reserving his limited time to dance with me on a few occasions.” Anya had long-since convinced herself of these facts as well, although, even to herself, she must admit the arguments were losing conviction as of late.
    “Or perhaps your escort will already be in attendance simply because he must be in order to greet his many guests .” Sedalene nodded as she determined this to be the appropriate scenario.
    “Oh, Seda,” Anya muttered, biting her lip. “I do hope you are joking.”
    Sedalene cradled her face in her hands. “Do not fret, my child. You are young and beautiful. What man would not want to spend time with you?”
    “Have you forgotten that I do not wish to spend time with him?”
    Sedalene waved her hand in the air as if shoving the comment aside. “Who would not want to be with His Lordship? Enjoy these small pleasures that life offers. What happens now dictates what happens tomorrow, not the other way around. You must live in the present rather than forever looking to the future.”
    Anya did not respond other than to stare hard at her nanny, although a thoughtful expression brightened her face in the passing moments.
    “Your father is waiting for you downstairs. It is nearly time to go.” Sedalene left Anya to her contemplations.
    Perhaps it would do no harm to partake in the lord’s company, Anya thought. Surely it was merely a passing fancy for him until he found a wife of proper standing for his choosing. Or, possibly, Lord Merivic was not her intended escort after all.
    Anya held tight to her last thought as she descended the stairs, convincing herself that it was the most valid of her conjectures. After all, Sedalene was always a hopeless romantic and, of course, she would assume the most outrageous situation to be the truthful one. Anya, on the other hand, was more grounded in reality. Or so she hoped.

Chapter 5
    When Anya and her father arrived at the great hall, they were greeted by Lord Merivic with a simple salutation before attendants ushered them inside. She was relieved by the quick admittance as the lordship barely took notice of her, and was confident he was not to be her escort for the evening after all. But she could not deny, it only piqued her curiosity as to who it might be.
    Anya was led through the milling crowd and out into the garden. She looked around with wide eyes at the gorgeous floral display, certain she could not name more than a few, and