Songbird

Chapter Thirteen - Disaster

"Mistress? You have a visitor."

Wren looked up from her piano. "A visitor? Who is it?"

"A Mister Archibald Derridan, mistress," the maid said. "He's waiting in the garden."

She wondered what had taken him so long to visit. "I see." She stood up from the piano bench and smoothed her dress. "How do I look?"

"As lovely as ever, mistress," the maid said. She curtsied. "By your leave."

She left the room, and Wren paused to check her appearance in the mirror. She did look the same as ever, she supposed. But everyone who said it sounded so insincere.

In the hall, she ran into Elsie.

"Your fiancé is here," she said.

"I know," Wren said. "I'm on my way to see him."

Elsie linked arms with her as they continued down the hall. "Be careful," she said. "Don't do anything that might give you away."

"I know," Wren said. "Don't be silly."

"My! I didn't know that my little sis was so cold."

Wren stopped, wrenching her arm out of her sister's grasp. "Elsie! Do you think I want to break his heart?"

Elsie sighed. "Of course not. I'm sorry," she said. "Just be careful."

"I will."

Triss was standing at the door to the balcony garden. She curtsied as Wren approached.

"Hello, Wren. The gentleman caller is already outside."

"Thank you, Triss."

The maid rested a hand on her arm. "Are you alright?"

Wren nodded, trying to smile. "I'm fine, Triss," she said. "It's just...you know."

"Of course," Triss said. "I'm sure it's difficult."

Wren squeezed her hand in thanks, then proceeded outside. The flowers were in bloom, a rainbow of vibrant pastels that filled the air with their fragrant perfume.

Archibald stood at the balcony railing, the sea breeze tousling his golden hair. Wren had to admit that he cut a dashing figure, wearing a crimson vest over a crisp white shirt, the baggy sleeves rolled casually up to his elbows. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, inclining his head as she approached.

"Wren," he said. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

She joined him at the railing. "Hello, Archibald." She had to turn away so he wouldn't see her grin.

"I believe," he said. "That I asked you to call me Archie, milady. Are you teasing me, perhaps?"

She drummed her fingers against her cheek as she leaned on the railing, already tiring of the game. "Perhaps."

"I must admit," he said. "I was...surprised when I got the news. You made your feelings quite clear the last time we spoke, or so I thought."

His gaze was fixed on her face, but she kept her own on the sea, watching a ship vanish over the horizon. "Things have...changed, I suppose. In a way."

Guilt barbed her heart as he gave a sheepish grin. "Well, I-I'm glad. And I apologise for my tardiness," he said. "I've been away from the city with my father."

"Was it business?"

He nodded. "My father's business," he said. "Rumours have been circulating about mysterious ships in our waters."