Chapter 8: A Bite for the Audience

Hettie's POV

Roderick had put a bowl of wax fruit on the demonstration table.

He'd also put a velvet cushion beside it.

I checked the cushion for a dinner plate before sitting.

Elspeth saw me do it and moved the cushion onto her own chair.

"I'll take the risk," she said.

The guests gathered in the drawing room after supper.

Agnes stood near me with a handkerchief ready.

She hadn't brought it for herself.

Lucan stood by the fireplace without the portrait cloak.

He looked less grand and more attractive.

I wanted him to cross the room and ask me to leave with him.

Instead he watched his cousin arranging the fruit.

"A display of control," Roderick announced.

He offered Lucan a wax apple.

"Break it."

The lord looked at it.

"It's wax."

"The guests understand a symbol."

Lucan put the apple on the mantelpiece.

"Then they can understand that one intact."

Winnie coughed behind the tea things.

Roderick took a real apple from a basket beneath the table.

He offered that instead.

Lucan split it neatly with his hands.

It was impressive, but it didn't explain why the guests looked afraid.

I took half the apple when Lucan offered it.

Roderick didn't want us eating his demonstration.

"There are greater powers," he said.

He lifted the cover from a molded red pudding.

Keep reading free with an account. Start His Family Wanted a Frightened Bride, He Fainted First from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.