Read Just Like Magic for Free Online Page B

invite them in!”
“Then who gets them refreshments, once they’re in?”
“We’ll—we’ll keep some in the sitting room at all times.”
Henry rolled his eyes. “You’re not fooling nobody, miss. Why not just open the door yourself? It’s not a crime to be poor!”
“We’re not poor! We have simply suffered—temporary reverses!”
“Then you could explain, miss—you’re just the temporary maid.”
“I am not a maid!”
“Well, you’re right about that,” said Henry, peering into the dining room, which was still dim and dusty. “A good maid’d clean this place up fast! My mum would, too. She’s a terror with a broom.”
“That’s different.”
“Or any of my sisters! Did I tell you, miss, that my oldest sister Lottie’s likely to get a place at the palace?”
“Really? As a housemaid?”
“No, in the kitchen. She’s a good cook, is Lottie, and really coming up in the world. She even learned to read! That’s important for a cook, what with recipes and all. Course they like to eat well in the palace. They’re very particular.”
“I would imagine.”
“Now Princess Seraphine, they say she’s very choosy, miss. Lottie works for the Earl of Totten, and last year when they had their ball, she told me how the Princess would only drink Veronian champagne, and they had seven different kinds of caviar and roast swan stuffed with truffles, just for her, and it was all frightfully expensive, let me tell you!”
“And what about the prince?”
“Prince Gregory? I don’t recall as she’s said. But he’s royal, miss, and don’t royal mean choosy?”
“Of course. Which is why it’s so important for me not to give people the wrong idea by opening the door. This time next year—” I paused and frowned. Chatting with the servants was just as unacceptable as acting like one. Turning away, I snapped, “Hadn’t you better get back to work?”
Next evening, when Stepmama, Lucy, and Gerta left for the Duke of Reynham’s ball, I had to admit that no one would have thought they were poor. On the contrary, they looked quite lavish, and Gerta, I thought, almost vulgarly overdone. The headdress she had chosen to wear with her new puce satin ball gown was a nightmare of ostrich plumes and dangling pearls. Lucy, on the other hand, was frighteningly fashionable in dark green silk and diamonds, draped in the ancient Entikan manner, with a sneer on her face guaranteed to snub the pretensions of anyone under the rank of Viscount. I could not imagine any gentleman wanting to get within ten paces of either of them, and as I watched them drive off in the hired carriage, I frowned. If only I had been able to go! How could I? I needed a plan!
Wandering into the sitting room, I sat down at a little table, picked up a pen, and stared into the fire that flickered and crackled, casting wavering shadows on the walls.
What did I want? That wasn’t hard to answer. I wanted to take my place in society, regain my wealth, and marry well. I wrote “ Debut. Become Wealthy. Marry Well—Prince? Or someone else of High Rank. ” on a clean sheet of stationery and embellished the capital letters with many splendid curlicues.
But how could I do it? To enter society, I needed to dress well, to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible, and to keep my distance from all persons of low position (dogs included).
Yes, I had been much too familiar with Henry. He had been an ear to talk to, and his chatter was entertaining. But no longer! And no more walks with Archibald. He could exercise in the back garden. I wrote on my paper, “ Dress well. Kitchen, Henry, and Archibald—Avoid. ”
Lifting an eyebrow, I considered my next desire: becoming wealthy. That was more difficult. Unfortunately, all I could do was be as frugal as possible (which I was already doing) and persuade Stepmama, Lucy, and Gerta to do the same (which was impossible). I wrote, “ Frugal. Day-old bread? Stepsisters—Ha. ”
As for my third wish, marrying well—it