Maris had begged Tamsin to bring over Sable Nix, the maid, knowing that her youngest wouldn't be able to bear it.
At first, Sable had not intended on doing anything when she saw Tamsin put the upper hand.
But now that she saw Tam was about to lose it at El, Sable stepped up to put an end to it quickly.
Tamsin was quieted by Sable, who tirelessly parroted Maris's phrases until Tamsin finally slept.
In a rage, Tamsin ordered the maidservants behind her to go on. Hurl the things down here!
Two young maids stepped up to Elara and tossed two mounds of clothes at her.
Tamsin gave Elara a withering look. Sable was right. Elara never shut up.
That went for all country lasses. But Tamsin was the blue-blooded daughter of a wealthy family. She couldn't get as good as Elara.
I feel like dumping all these clothes I've hardly worn, they're all expensive labels, well, actually you wouldn't even recognize the labels on most of these clothes.
Tamsin looked down her nose as if bestowing a gift of her cast-offs to Elara.
"I'm donating these to you! Are you settled in? Not that I care. Look at the rags you're wearing. You're more like a pauper. The Kincaid can't afford to have you be an eyesore to us. So put this stuff on straight away."
Elara looked at her own clothes.
Was the T-shirt she had on scuffed?
Day before yesterday she had got this. There were only ten in the universe, Tiernan had told her, and he'd only got it because he broke into over 10k comp's wombs to do so.
Elara would never have worn that T-shirt if Tiernan hadn't kept nagging and it wasn't an incredibly simple design.
Elara was dumbstruck that Tamsin had thought this piece of art, created by top designer Evadne before she retired, would suit a beggar.
It suddenly dawned on Elara that she should not waste any more time talking to Tamsin.
Tamsin thought she had scared Elara with her clothes, but after a moment it was clear that Elara wasn't going to respond. She sighed exasperatedly. "Elara, your father decided you were going to school. And there's no way someone like you who never went to a normal school before could go to one now. But since you seem hell bent on not humiliating the Kincaid any longer your father gave the school a library in exchange for letting you come here." Make sure to appreciate this okay? I mean you must be grateful right? You know how much money ways have been taken out of the Kincaid, because of you."
Wealthy though the Kincaids were, Tamsin would have said her family had far better use for their funds than some back roads girl like Elara and she snorted.
Tamsin scowled and gave Elara an inquisitive look when she detected the scorn in her snickers.
"What's so funny, Bumpkin?" Tamsin asked.
Elara appeared nonchalant as she looked down and arched an eyebrow.
What do you think I'm laughing at? Did you forget that I also hold all the funds belonging to Kincaid, Tamsin? I want to attend school, why shouldn't I give my money to build a library? You ask for my thanks for that. Should I then thank myself?
Tamsin was no longer able to resist. Out of rage, she sobbed and bolted from the room.
Tamsin took off, of course, and the other maids stampeded after her.
Finally, Elara was alone and undisturbed. She shook her head in despair at the discarded clothes on the floor.
It had taken Tamsin a long time to weep; she had been too feeble for that sort of thing.
at the home of the Duncans.
Perrin Lambert went as fast as he could to the Duncans' house when he heard Desmond had gone and got himself engaged to that country girl from the Kincaid at the grave.
Perrin was shocked that, for all Perrin knew how close he and talk Desmond often were seeing's here.
Perrin was the Lamberts' only son, and their heir. He didn't have any money to make himself look that foolish.
Oh, Mr. Ackerley, could you please answer me one question? What made you propose to the country girl? She is pretty enough and Casier is not without its supply of pretty girls. But why did you choose her?
Perrin sat gabbling at Desmond while he read his secretary's report like a gadfly that would not be brushed away.
When he could take no more, Desmond set the document down that he had been reviewing, and for a moment stared at Perrin with eyes glinting with a coldness that chilled his spine.
Desmond's look could make Perrin shake and sweat, if he let it.
Perrin was too frightened to speak any further, in case he said something that might anger Desmond.
Desmond losing his cool would finish Perrin.
Let someone tap.
For Perrin the knock on the door was like a message from heaven.
Perrin quickly replied, "Mr. Ackerley, let me get that for you."
Desmond's helper, Stellan Ackerley. He had been with Desmond almost from the time they were born.
Most helpers in households like the Duncans started learning when they were kids.
Stellan had been Desmond's study partner in twos when they were younger. He became Desmond's helper as they got older.
The thing about Stellan was that he never spoke. Never laughed or smiled.
Behind Stellan, Perrin had a sound reduced chuckle. "Icecube."
Stellan came into the room to look at Desmond. He wouldn't hide anything from Perrin the moment he started talking and it seemed like he was going to now.
"Mr. Ackerley, I have the information on Elara Kincaid."
Perrin felt a twinge of annoyance at his words. Yes, you asked Stellan to check on Elara. It seems like you do care for her. I will.
When he was done, Perrin took the papers from Stellan and with a challenging smile on his lips he opened them.
But Perrin's face fell instantly and in surprise and anger he looked at Stellan.
Are you kidding me, Icecube? What do you mean a blank piece of paper? I thought the data was in there? I would like some more information on Elara please.
The only thing Stellan had shown me where those papers.
Perrin had thought he'd managed to hide it, because Stellan clearly didn't want Perrin to know.
Stellan looked like he'd heard Perrin complain before. He didn't even flinch as that frozen gaze lingered on him.
Perrin knew immediately that Stellan had opened his eyes and was staring at him like an idiot.
The man's eyes went very wide, and he seemed a little shocked.
"You couldn't find any bio on her, could you?"
Stellan nodded, at least Perrin had got some flack as well.
The confirmation of his hypothesis only shocked Perrin more.
There is information the Duncans themselves can't find. Did Harlan hide it?
The Duncans' intelligence network was second to none, and it is what kept them ahead of the game as the most powerful family in all of Casier.
Anything and everything that the Duncans wanted to find out, they did.
Perrin soon outlawed his own estimate.
That is not possible. There is nothing he conceivably could be hiding from the Duncans. Then what's going on? Why can't you ferret anything out on Elara?
Perrin glanced at Desmond. "What is going on?"
Desmond mouthed silently to the empty space on the ledger, then his lips curved into a distinctly disturbing smile of satisfaction.
Perrin was so scared by the sight he did not dare ask another question.
You could tell from Desmond's smile that someone was gonna die. It was just never clear who.