"Look at you, all grown up and dressed like a lady," Xavier laughed, taking a step back so I could give him a twirl before throwing myself into his arms. Rosanna cleared her throat much louder than necessary when I kept squeezing my favorite brother. "I can't believe you're here!" I said, my face splitting with a smile. Xavier looked every bit the way I'd remembered him, his white necktie slightly crooked and his hair escaping the pomade he'd probably been forced to use. "It would seem some introductions are in order," Xavier said, nodding towards Rosanna and Emily. "Xavier this is Rosanna and Emily," I said quickly, ing my arm with his and dragging him away from them before he could start up a conversation. "Trust me, they're not nearly as interesting as they look," I said, when he opened his mouth to protest. Instead, he laughed. "Manners Mistress would slap you on the wrist," he said, patting my hand in the crook of his elbow, "Where exactly are you taking me?" "To the food," I replied, "So I can eat while you tell me all about Oxford and why you're back," "Ah, well there's nothing exciting to report there," he said, releasing my hand so I could serve myself a heaping portion of food, "I've taken up my studies at Highcastle's Royal Conservatory," I turned to frown at him, the food forgotten. "But you love Oxford," I said, puzzled. Xavier made a gallant attempt at a nonchalant shrug, but I didn't miss the way his eyes searched the ballroom. I realized with a sinking feeling that there was a reason Edward was in attendance as well. Xavier hated to be the bearer of bad news, while Edward seemed to delight in it. The two of them being present meant that whatever they had to tell me was bad enough that Xavier couldn't deliver it himself, but had to be there to soften the blow. "What's the matter?" I asked, setting down the plate I'd been filling, my appetite forgotten. "Nothing's the matter!" he replied, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Did you get kicked out of Oxford?" I whispered. This time Xavier laughed in earnest. "Heavens no! I leave the expulsions to you, Libby," he said, seizing me by the hand again, "Now please, I'd much prefer a dance with you rather than an interrogation," "You're not fooling me, Xavier Marks-Whelan," I grumbled, "You know I'll find out," "Infer what you will," he shrugged, as we waited for the dance to end, "But I'd much rather hear about how you landed yourself as a part of the Season," "You can thank cousin Ella for that," I said, as he lined me up for a polonaise, "For it was certainly none of my doing," "You should have seen mother's shade of puce when she got word of your expulsion," Xavier chortled, as the music started up. This time it was my smile that didn't reach my eyes. Why had he been back in Draughton and not at university when I'd been kicked out of Hargrove? There was definitely something he wasn't telling me. We moved through the steps of the dance while I described my first month at the palace, pausing only when we switched partners. I danced with two men I didn't recognize before I landed on a third that I did. "You certainly seem to be enjoying yourself," Andrew said, glancing over at where Xavier was dancing with Sarah Thornbury. "I haven't seen him in months, of course I'm enjoying myself!" I said, before we broke apart and Xavier was returned to me. "Ella has some stiff competition," Xavier said, casting a glance towards Sarah. "They're all terribly beautiful," I said, "But there isn't much going on in their heads," "They're courtiers, Libby, they're not supposed to be great thinkers like you and I," he joked. "Don't I know it," I sighed, "The conversation is positively mind-numbing," We switched partners again and I made my way through the steps until Andrew caught my hands. "How long have you known him?" Andrew asked, his face missing that easy smile I was so accustomed to. I was taken aback by his question, bing in surprise. "All my life I suppose, why?" I asked. "He seems a little old for you," Andrew said, shooting a look at Xavier. I threw my head back with laughter as we parted ways again, unable to contain my giggles the entire time I was paired with Xavier. "What's so funny?" my brother asked, shooting a quizzical smile towards Andrew, who was still frowning. "He thinks we're involved," I managed, before we broke apart again. The two strangers didn't much appreciate my stifled guffaws and Andrew met me with questions in his green eyes. "He's my brother!" I laughed, shaking my head, "Not that it should be of any consequence to you!" "Your brother," Andrew repeated, looking over to Xavier again. "The younger one, yes. Couldn't you tell by the hair?" I asked, still shaking my head as I smiled and twirled back into Xavier's arms. "Now correct me if I'm wrong, but the young man you were just laughing with is indeed the crown prince, is he not?" Xavier asked, lifting an eyebrow. "He is," I nodded, "And he's not nearly as stuffy as you might believe," Xavier made a noncommital noise in his throat as the dance ended. He bowed while I swept a curtsey, only to hear someone clear their throat behind me. "Elizabeth, how lovely to see you. Is that a new dress?" Edward said stiffly, as Vile Edith stood next to him, running her eyes over me. "Yes," I smiled, giving a small twirl, "Isn't it marvellous," "It looks expensive," Edith sniffed. "How lovely to see you as well, Edith," I said, dipping a curtsey. She flushed and Edward cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should dance," Edward said, "If you don't mind, Edith," "And what, I'll stay here to stand with Xavier?" she snapped, only for Xavier to come and bow before her. "Certainly not, I hear I'm the most wonderful waltz partner. Shall we?" he said, seizing Edith's gloved hand before she could protest. I watched them go, Edith's face sour as Xavier lined them up between dancers. Edward cleared his throat, holding his arms out awkwardly for me to clasp them. When the music started up, he remained just as stiff and uncomfortable as he took me through the steps. "Edith is going to make you pay for this," I said. Edward stiffened. "That is quite the rude thing to say, Elizabeth," he said. "Oh stop with the Elizabeth business," I snorted, "You know I despise that name," "I see that all your schooling still hasn't quite finished you," Edward sniffed, nonplussed. I rolled my eyes. "I doubt any amount of schooling in the entire world would finish me to your standards," I shot back, "Considering your lovely wife is the likely benchmark," "Clearly not," he said through his teeth, his jaw muscle working. I took a small amount of pleasure in annoying Edward, allowing the silence to stretch uncomfortably between us. He was the first to break it. "I suppose I'll get directly to the point. You can't spend any more money, Elizabeth," Edward said quietly, his voice barely audible above the music. "What? Then how am I to get more dresses?" I demanded, "I'm a part of the Season, Edward, I can't simply go around wearing rags!" "Because we're broke, Libby," he snapped. "That's impossible, Edith's family is filthy rich!" I fired back. He made an annoyed noise in his throat. "By we I meant the family, Libby. Father lost a great deal of money in a series of bad investments. The only reason you're still here is because calling you home from the Season would raise too many questions," he said. I nearly stumbled as I stared at him in disbelief. "Then aren't you helping them?" I demanded, "Surely you could loan them some money so-" "Edith forbade it," he said, avoiding my gaze, "And I don't intend on squandering our wealth to save someone from a bad financial decision," This time I dropped my arms in earnest and we stopped moving in the middle of the dance floor. "We're your family, Edward," I said, unable to hide the shock from my face. "Edith is my family now," he said. My hands curled into fists in my skirt. "I knew Xavier had always been right about you," I snarled, "You really are nothing more than a self-serving little weasel!" "Elizab-!" Edward started, but I'd turned and dashed from the dance floor, the heat of angry tears prickling behind my eyes. How could my parents be broke? And how could Edward turn a blind eye? I was hardly paying attention to where I was going when I ran into a red jacket.