Burning Bright Read Free

time.”
    “I know how to behave in society, papa,” Elinor said.
Calm, placid, like a still pool.
    “I have not forgotten how insipid you were when we first brought you to London, how little effort you made to encourage suitors,” Mr. Pembroke said. “I was willing to overlook your behavior then because you had so little to recommend you and were unlikely to receive an offer however you behaved. Things are different now. You have a desirable talent, and I will not see you squander this grand opportunity. Do you understand me?”
    So little to recommend you
. Elinor’s stomach churned again. She clung to her outward serenity like a drowning man clutches a rope. “I understand you perfectly, papa,” she said. “I will submit to your instruction.”
And then I will ignore it. I may have an Extraordinary talent, but the law says I cannot be forced to marry against my will, and you, dear papa, have no idea what my will is like after living under your disdain for twenty-one years.
The brave thoughts faded away immediately. She tried to imagine herself saying such a thing to her father, but succeeded only in making herself feel more ill.
    “Very well.” Mr. Pembroke smiled at Elinor and covered her hand with his; it took all the willpower she had not to jerk away from him and instead smile pleasantly back. “And don’t fear, Elinor. A Scorcher talent in a lady is undesirable, true, but it is well known that Scorchers produce powerful Bounders and Movers, and any nobleman wishing to better his fortunes would be a fool not to see your value. And an Extraordinary Scorcher talent—my dear, you are the only one of your kind in England, the only one in a century—do you not see how desirable that makes you? It is not beyond possibility that this time next year, we will be visiting London as the guests of our daughter, the Duchess!”
    “And only think what you may do for your sister!” Mrs. Pembroke gasped. “Oh, Amelia, would you not like to be brought out by your sister?”
    “She must marry first, mama,” Amelia said, glaring at Elinor. “It is a pity she is so plain. But then, I’ve heard good talent makes a lady beautiful beyond her birth.”
    “It is a pity you have nothing more to recommend you than the face you have so carefully Shaped,” Elinor snapped. Amelia gasped, then broke into theatrical tears.
    “For
shame
, Elinor,” Mrs. Pembroke said, and patted Amelia’s hand.
    “And she is not to be reprimanded for commenting on my appearance?”
    “Amelia is younger than you, and is still learning to curb her tongue. She lacks your self-control,” Mr. Pembroke said. “I expect you to behave with greater self-restraint.”
    “Yes, papa,” Elinor said, casting her eyes down so he would not see her anger, but not without first flicking a quick glare at her sister, who went white.
    “I’m sure I beg your pardon, Elinor,” Amelia said. “We none of us can help the way we’re made.”
    Whether that was an apology, or another, subtler dig, Elinor could not decide, but she chose to let it pass. “I apologize for my quick words,” she replied. “I think I am more tired from the journey than I realized. May I retire early, papa?”
    “You are clearly overwrought, so I will excuse you this once, daughter. We will speak tomorrow.”
    “Do not forget, Elinor, we
will
be attending to your wardrobe after Selina’s visit is completed,” Mrs. Pembroke said as Elinor was about to leave the room. “I think it is not too much to ask that you take an interest in your appearance.”
    “Yes, mama,” Elinor said, and escaped to her room.
    The fire rose up in response to her entrance, and she soothed it as she would an anxious puppy. She knew it was not truly alive, but it amused her to pretend it was; she refused to entertain the notion that she did so only because she was so desperately lonely now that Selina was married. If only she had had a Speaker’s talent! She certainly did not envy Amelia her talent,