“Does it mean anything?”

   “Iyitsi is one of our gods. A trickster. The masked god. The god with many faces.” Her eyes sparkled again. “He hates it, but I think it fits him perfectly.”

   Mulling over what I knew of Grant, I said, “I couldn’t agree more.”

CHAPTER 11

   I HAD MIXED FEELINGS ONCE THE REAL BUSINESS OF the Glittering Court began. On the one hand, I welcomed a break in the doldrums we’d fallen into. But it also meant I had to face up to the future I’d been trying to escape. I could no longer let Tamsin’s loss be the center of my thoughts.

   Technically, we were still in mourning when potential suitors started showing up. Jasper and Charles had made it publicly clear that we weren’t officially “on the market” until after our opening ball, but they also didn’t turn away men who claimed they only wanted to make polite inquiries. Some of these men really did stop by out of general curiosity—wanting to know prices, what qualities to expect in us, etc. Other men, however, had been present at our arrival and had already spotted specific girls of interest.

   My hideaway on the landing had been compromised when my housemates realized it looked down on the parlor where the Thorns received their visitors. Unable to resist, we would all gather in an excited huddle to eavesdrop on the conversations below. Each girl hoped to hear her name mentioned and also wanted to check out everyone else’s prospects. They cooed over who seemed the handsomest, the most romantic. Me? I assessed the suitors in a much cooler way, trying to determine which one might give me the least hassle and most freedom.

   I was also enthralled at seeing the Thorns at work. Selling and pitching ran in their blood, even docile Charles. The three of them took turns managing these meetings, though sometimes, more than one Thorn would greet a man. I loved those meetings best because the suitors never stood a chance.

   One man who had the bad luck of facing down both Cedric and Jasper especially made me pay attention—because he was on Grant’s list.

   His name was Theodore Craft. He’d made his fortune by operating a number of distilleries in Denham and adjacent colonies. Grant’s mentor, Silas Garrett, had begun investigating him just before Grant left. Apparently, Craft made oddly timed—and suspicious—trips to visit his holdings, trips someone of his means didn’t even probably need to make in person.

   I leaned forward as Cedric urged him to sit. Theodore was a stout man, balding at the temples, and dressed to impress. He was interested in Beatrice, a girl from Guthshire, and made no pretense about why he wanted her.

   “I like blondes,” he stated. Since no one knew anything about us except our looks, attraction was pretty much the only reason a man might be drawn to one of us. A lot of them would try to make up deeper reasons, saying things like “She looks like she’s a hard worker.” But we knew the truth.

   “Well, we have a number of them,” said Cedric, cheerful as ever. “All talented and lovely.”

   “I liked the looks of that one.” Beatrice beamed at that until Theodore added, “But I’m open to others if there’s a big enough price difference. I’m overdue for a wife, you see, and I intend to make sure I choose one worthy of my station. I make the finest rum and whiskey in all the colonies, you know.”

   “Oh, yes,” said Jasper. “I’m well aware. Everyone knows your exceptional business.”

   I believed Jasper. In fact, I believed he probably had a good idea of how much Theodore earned, down to the last coin. He spent a lot of time researching Cape Triumph’s well-to-do citizens.

   “A respectable businessman needs a respectable wife,” added Cedric. It was a line he used all the time. “And it’s a good thing you’ve come to speak to us early. I mean, we aren’t brokering any deals yet, but we’ve had many, many inquiries.”

   Jasper nodded along with his son. “I expect most of these girls to be spoken for before the opening ball is even over. We have fewer this year, you know. So unfortunately, some men are going to be disappointed.”

   A small frown was the only sign of Cedric’s displeasure at the subtle reference to the Gray Gull, but he was still quick to play off his father’s lead. “That’s why making an early decision is going to be so critical. Those who delay are going to miss their chance. Why, we’ve even heard of men already moving assets and taking loans for their fees—isn’t that right, Father?”

   “Absolutely. Of course, the girls have all season to choose, but if presented with an early, respectable proposal at our debut gala? Especially with surety money involved?” Jasper shrugged eloquently. “Well. I doubt these jewels are going to wait around.”

   The Thorns would often try to upsell callers on a more expensive girl, but a line of delicate questioning soon revealed that Beatrice was right at the top of Theodore’s price range. So Jasper and Cedric went to work, pitching her hard and extolling her virtues and—of course—beauty.

   “When is your opening ball?” he asked nervously. “I have an important trip to make to Bakerston in the morning. One that I can’t reschedule. I’ll be there for two days.”

   “The announcement isn’t official yet, but I can say that you’ll have just enough time,” Jasper told him conspiratorially. “But don’t extend your trip.”

   Theodore lit up. “I won’t, I won’t. And I’ll start looking into my accounts today.”

   A trip to Bakerston. One he couldn’t reschedule.

   My heartbeat quickened. It was exactly the kind of information Grant wanted: movement from a man under suspicion because of mysterious trips.

   With everyone in the house so preoccupied watching our suitors, it was easy to slip off later on and sneak outside to the porch. “Hey,” I said, beckoning one of the mercenaries. “Do you know where Aiana is?” I didn’t know how else to locate her, especially since we weren’t supposed to have met yet.