“Which means every sighting of a fae is news!” She places a hand on my arm, her words taking on a condescending tone, her cadence slowing. “Gemma, dear, you are new to Faerwyvae and are not yet versed in our ways. The fae may rule us and they may mingle with humans freely in some cities, but very rarely here in the south. The northern cities near the palace of the seelie king are where most high fae live, and the lesser fae, like the wolves and bears, tend to stay away from towns like ours.”
I plaster a smile over my lips and tilt my head. “On the contrary, I have been told all of this. I’ve also been told the fae take offense to the terms high fae and lesser fae and prefer the terms seelie and unseelie, so I suggest you forgo repeating the former.”
She waves a dismissive hand. “That’s only if they hear you use such phrasing. It’s not likely I’ll offend anyone here. As I’ve already said, there’s hardly a fae living in Vernon. Unless, of course, you count Mr. Hamish’s new wife. Have you met her yet? She looks like one of us, but they say she’s half pixie! Can you even imagine?”
There’s really no getting through to this woman, is there? Then again, based on our previous encounters, I shouldn’t have expected this conversation to go any different. “I must be going, Mrs. Aston.”
Again, I step away, only for her to shadow me.
“Where are you off to? Perhaps we can go together? We’re on our way to meet Gavin. I’m sure an early introduction—”
“What a kind and generous offer,” I say without warmth, “but I must be on my way alone. Good day.”
She opens her mouth to object, but I’m already taking my leave—with haste this time.
The bookshop, like always, is nearly empty.
As soon as the door closes behind me, I feel like I can breathe. More than that, I can finally let my guard down. Here I can be myself. Here I can find quiet.
I head for the bookseller, Mr. Cordell, who nods at me with a warm smile as I reach his counter. He’s an older gentleman, perhaps twenty years my father’s senior. His hair is gray, his eyes a watery blue. I return his smile, this one genuine, unlike the one I wear among the other townspeople.
“How many today, Miss Bellefleur?” Mr. Cordell asks.
“That depends. Anything new?”
He pretends to ponder, squinting at me as he taps a finger to his chin. “Well, I have plenty new. But the kind of books you’re after…”
“Don’t hold out. Tell me!” I say with a laugh.
With an exaggerated sigh, he reaches beneath the counter and takes out a rectangular bundle wrapped in cloth. He barely has a chance to push it across the counter toward me before I gather it up and tear off the wrapping. I can’t contain my excitement as I read the title. The Governess and the Earl.
My breath catches. This is the newest book in the Governess in Love series. And it’s here. In my hands. My mouth falls open as I hug the book to my chest and meet Mr. Cordell’s eyes.
He gives me a knowing nod. “It’s quite good.”
“You read it already? That’s so unfair. You should have hand-delivered it to me at once.”
“Perhaps,” he says. “But then how else would I get you in here to brighten up my dreary shop? There are so few others in town with such keen tastes.”
I must confess he’s right. I’ve hardly met another soul who appreciates the intricate art of the romance novel more than Mr. Cordell. He’s probably the most—if not only—pleasant surprise I’ve had since moving to Vernon. “You’re saving my sanity, you saintly old man.”
“I’m not sure if I can be considered a saint after reading chapter eighteen. There are few things that can make me blush anymore, but…just you wait.”
My entire being hums with my eagerness to get home and dive into my book straight away. But considering how quickly I finished the last book, I should probably take home more than one. “Is this the only new arrival?”
“Oh, no. There’s plenty more. I knew you’d be most excited about that one, and it would be a crime not to reserve your copy at the counter. Go ahead and browse. You know where to find the good stuff.” He gives me a wink, and I make my way to the back of the store, The Governess and