Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear Read Free Book Online Page B

insisted.
    “Balderdash. We are going to Boston tomorrow, all three of us. Noli, I can’t leave you here unchaperoned. This is not up for negotiation.” He held up a hand. “I’ll come up with a suitable story—no one needs to know about your situation.”
    Mama sniffed into her crumpled handkerchief. “I’ve worked so hard.”
    “Sometimes hard work and good intentions aren’t enough,” he soothed. “It is better for everyone this way, truly.” Grandfather stood. “Now, I am going to find something edible. You girls best get to packing.”
    Mama appeared in the doorway of Noli’s room, a dark green dress in her arms. A dress meant for a Christmas ball V was supposed to accompany her to.
    “Noli, pack this dress. It’s unfinished, but it will be gorgeous when I’m done.”
    “I’m not going to Boston.” Noli flopped onto her bed, the room only illuminated by the single candle lamp on her desk. “You said we didn’t have to go.” It came out more pout than intelligent argument as she stared up at the ceiling.
    Her mother laid the dress on the back of the desk chair and sat down on the bed. “I … I know. But what do you expect me to do, refuse?”
    “Yes. You’re a grown and married woman. Tell Grandfather we’re staying here.” She put her head on her mother’s knee. Part of her wanted to believe that Boston wouldn’t be so dreadful. Soon the holidays would be upon them with parties and balls, then the season. Grandmother would certainly make sure her entry into society was wellappointed; perhaps she’d even throw Noli a ball of her very own.
    No. Noli shoved the thoughts of parties and gowns aside. There’s more to life than balls .
    Like what? the sprite argued. I want a ball.
    “Noli, are you well?” Mama’s brows furrowed. “You have that look on your face. I … ” Her mother eased Noli off her and stood, going to the trunk at the foot of the bed, which had barely been unpacked. It had finally returned from her misadventures at Findlay House.
    Her mother opened the trunk, making three efficient piles on the bed.
    Instead of helping, Noli lay on the bed, staring. Unless physically forced, she would not go to Boston. The possibility of that scenario did exist. Many women needed to be sedated for airship travel—her mother included.
    “As much as I adore your random bouts of ladylikeness and how you’ve grown out of your awkward phase, you … ” Her mother added a ball gown to a pile as her lips pursed in a way which meant she was forming her words carefully. “You haven’t been quite right since Findlay. There, I’ve said it.” The piles grew as she sorted with rapidfire quickness. “I know you’re upset about V, and I’m not saying that we should to go to Boston to find someone else for you, I’m saying that we should go to Boston for a fresh start. This isn’t a new idea; we’ve spoken about this before. It might be good for both of us to begin anew.” She turned to Noli’s wardrobe, adding clothing to one of the piles.
    Wait, could her mother wish to go back? Noli knew she’d been missing Boston lately, but hadn’t given much thought how their situation might wear on her mother. How she might wish to return home to Boston, permanently, but hadn’t wanted to give up on both her shop and Father. That, to her mother, this surprise visit might be a blessing in disguise.
    Noli eyed Mama, who didn’t appear to be too upset by the whole situation, despite her small protests in the parlor. “True, a fresh start may not be a bad thing, but you know Grandmamma, she’ll have me married off by Christmas.” Mama piled shoes in the bottom of the now-empty trunk. “She isn’t that quick—it would take her at least to the end of the season. We’ll tell her that the matchmaking needs wait.”
    “What if … ” If Noli didn’t speak now, she’d wake up in her grandfather’s house in Boston, her social calendar for the next year full.
    “What is it?” Her mother