I smiled and returned to my scandalous book. Mira sometimes gave the impression that she could easily take or leave the Glittering Court. It wasn’t surprising she’d come up with such an idea—though Tamsin was right: It would be difficult to implement.
When the first exam day came, we were all called down to a meeting in the great hall. Our entrance was much different than the initial shuffling of our early days. We descended the grand staircase one by one, moving at a sedate, graceful pace that allowed us to be admired by those gathered below. As I made my way, I spotted Cedric standing with our instructors, making me more self-conscious than I would have normally been.
Still, I completed the journey perfectly and lined up with the other girls, standing in an elegant pose long drilled into us. Mistress Masterson inspected us, and when she’d moved past, I glanced over and saw Cedric watching me. He met my eyes briefly and then shifted his gaze to Mira.
Mistress Masterson issued some instructions about how the day would proceed and then turned to Cedric. “Any inspiring words?”
He smiled his showy smile. “Nothing to say except ‘good luck’—not that I think any of you’ll need it. I’ve seen you over the last eight months. You’re all exceptional.” Unlike his father, Cedric was telling the truth about keeping tabs on our progress. He’d always chatted with each girl on his visits, genuinely wanting to learn more.
As we dispersed for the exams, he caught my sleeve. “How was your visit with Aunt Sally?”
I rolled my eyes. “Honestly, was that the best you could dredge up? I think I would have been better off alone and pathetic.”
“Not true. You’re too likeable for anyone to believe you don’t have at least one friend who’d show up to support you. And I didn’t have much notice to find someone. I only heard about the schedule change at the last minute.”
“Why did it change?”
“Along with you girls, Father transports all sorts of goods for trade to the colonies. If he can get there ahead of the other spring ships, he can turn a better profit. When he finally got a couple of ships willing to make the early crossing, he jumped on it,” Cedric explained. “And so, I had to find an actress for you.”
“Not just any actress. A great star of some of the biggest theatrical productions in Osfro. Or so I hear.”
Cedric raised an eyebrow at that. “Trust me, I did not find her starring in a big theatrical production. But it was better that people noticed your crazy relative than wondered how you had no one in the world.”
“I suppose that’s true.” Grudgingly, I added, “Thank you.”
“I’m always at your service. But you’d better go before you’re late. I hope you do well.”
“I won’t. I’ll do just good enough.”
And I held to that as the exams began. All the information we’d been drilled in over the last eight months was suddenly condensed into three days. Some of the exams were written. Some, like dance, had to be conducted in a more hands-on way. It was exhausting, even for me, particularly as I had to pick and choose which areas to succeed in and which to do poorly in. It was definitely a balancing act, but I was certain I’d place comfortably in the middle. I’d make good on my promise to Cedric to attract no unnecessary attention.
“Adelaide, dear,” Miss Hayworth said, halfway into my dance exam. “What are you doing?”
“The waltz?” I offered.
She shook her head, making a few notes in her papers. “I don’t understand. You executed this perfectly last week and completely botched the new rigaudon. Today, it’s reversed.”
I tried to keep my face blank. “Nerves will do that to you, ma’am.”
“Continue,” she said, waving us on and wearing the exasperated look I often brought out in her.
Nearby, I saw Clara smirk at my critique. In her time here, she’d come to excel in this area, so much so that Miss Hayworth had suggested she lead the opening dances in Adoria. She needed these scores to offset the abysmal ones she had in academic areas, and really, I didn’t care what she thought anyway.