Chapter 8: The Kite

Bella arrived at three o'clock, which James took as a personal attack on his nap.

He woke on the common-room couch to find her sitting across from him, pouring tea.

A footman stood behind her with a covered tray.

Her fan lay closed on her knee.

"Cousin," she said warmly. "You were so peaceful. I hated to wake you."

"You didn't. I'm still asleep."

"Then I'll talk quietly."

She did.

She asked about his classes, his cough, his appetite.

She admired the tape line on the floor and called it adorable.

Every word was kind, and James counted a sixty-two percent chance that she was lying about each of them.

Grant stood by the window with his hands behind his back.

Harry sat very upright at the table.

Felix leaned on the stove, eating a roll and watching her over it with a small, careful smile.

"I've brought something for each of you," Bella said.

She gave Harry a pressed sea lily in a glass frame.

"A taste of home. It must be so dreary for a Mermaid heir, so far from water."

Harry's face did not change.

Under the table, his hand closed on his knee until the knuckles whitened.

She gave Grant a letter case, with a smile.

"Your next report. I look forward to it."

Grant took it without a word.

She gave Felix a hug.

It was a long hug.

Felix stood in it with his arms half raised, patting her shoulder twice.

"You're doing so well," she said into his ear. "Thornwood is very proud."

"Thank you, Bella."

Then she turned to James, and her smile softened into something that almost looked sad.

"And you, cousin. I brought you the best gift of all."

She took four sheets from the tray and fanned them out on the table.

They were four copies of the share transfer, one for each of them, newly pressed and sealed.

"The Trial is tomorrow," she said. "I'd like these signed before it."

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