“They’re not real. You wouldn’t be able to sell them for much.”
“I was wondering why you’d give me diamonds,” I say wryly.
Maxine cackles. “And what use do I have for diamonds?” She flips her long gray hair. “I have a crown of pure silver. A cottage in the woods. A thriving business plying the dark arts to those foolish enough to indulge.” Bending, she scoops up the cat and busses a kiss between its ears. “And I have a cat for companionship. Better than a whole wheelbarrow of gemstones, if you ask me.”
“I can’t take this, Max.” I drop her gift on a dusty velvet cushion that has an indentation in the center like it once held a crystal ball. “It’s too generous, and I’d never use it anyway. Who knows what Cilla and Stacia would do if they got hold of it.”
The old woman turns thoughtful.
“Fair enough. I’ll keep it for when you want it. The potions should be cool enough to cork now. That’ll be fifteen coppers.”
“Fifteen?! You charged half that amount for nine bottles last week.”
“That was then, this is now. The grocer put his prices up, which means resupplying monster parts will be more expensive too. Everyone has to eat and I’m too old and fat to go clambering up mountains looking for harpy feathers.”
She wheels on me. I stand back, startled. Slyly, she says, “I’ll give you the lot for free if you promise to take the necklace I offered.”
“Maxine. That makes no sense.”
“Take it. Keep the coins I hear rattling in your pocket. You need those more than I do.”
Her voice fades tinnily. The rest of her fades around the edges, too. I stare at the place where she stood only seconds ago in astonishment.
I’m fond of the witch, but I’m too creeped out to stay here for another second.
I scoop the coins from my pocket and deposit them on the scuffed wood table and flee, leaving the beautiful pendant with its potion charm coiled on the pile.
I’m not risking my life for one night of fun.
5
ELINOR
I’m so latein arriving home that I barely notice the fancy carriage with a crest on the door parked out front. I cut through the yard and hasten in the back, where Chompers and Tom are uneasily sharing the kitchen. The dog scratches at the door to the hall and whines.
“Out,” I dump my packages onto the scuffed table and open it. “You’ll only try and steal the pork, anyway?—”
I break off mid-sentence at the sight of a royal messenger taking his leave.
“Another lady?” The messenger scowls. “You assured me there were only two.”
“She is only a maid from the village who comes in to cook and clean.”
I bristle. Chompers moves to his master’s side and plops his rear end down obediently beside Tremaine’s boot. I swear that animal looks smug. I glare at him.
The messenger in his wig and frankly ridiculous livery eyes my patched rag of a dress. “There was a Lady Elinor Scinder living at this address. What happened to her?” He taps a thick white envelope bearing a red wax seal on the palm of his gloved hand, considering.
My lips part to speak. Tremaine cuts me off.
“She ran away.” He clucks his tongue. “With a stableboy. Classic. I did not wish for a scandal to mar my own daughters’ marriage prospects. You understand?”
The servant eyes me, his gaze locking on my unfortunate red hair, then nods.
“It’s not true,” I finally pipe up.
“Get back into the kitchen.” Tremaine raises his fist in warning. I flinch. He’ll strike me if I don’t obey.
Scowling, I shuffle back to my domestic domain. An embarrassment to be kept out of sight.
