“How was the party?” Peter asked when Ryan finally emerged from the guest room. “What time did you get back?”

The younger boy rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Not until past one in the morning.” They hadn’t left the party until after midnight. Oliver had wanted to leave sooner, but she’d gotten lost and ended up in the garden instead of the front lawn.

“How did Holly fare?” Maggie asked, handing him a cup of coffee.

“She did great.” Ryan sank into an armchair and sipped his morning brew. “At least half of the guests now know about Hopeful Readings and are excited to visit. Oh, and Tia Jane likes her.”

“That’s good.” Peter mused. “Lady Austin is a prominent figure in society. And Father trusts her opinion.”

“But didn’t she spend a few years abroad?” Maggie wondered. “Won’t she know that the Hope family isn’t noble?”

“That’s why I only named her as ‘Holly’.” Ryan explained. “It’s not enough to look her up. Besides, it’s the same name she gave her imaginary daughter.”

“Lady Austin doesn’t have an imaginary daughter.” Maggie stated flatly. “But she does have a real one.”

“She does?” Ryan and Peter asked at the same time.

Maggie nodded. “I’ve seen pictures of her. She lives overseas, so they were just baby photos. Lady Austin had to leave her husband behind when she returned after her mother’s death. She didn’t want her daughter to be caught up in this lifestyle, so she was left behind, as well.”

“How do you know all this?” Peter inquired.

“My father told me. He went to school with Lady Austin when they were kids.”

A stiff silence fell over the room. It was only broken when a knock came at the door. Maggie answered it to find a mail currier holding a package. He also gave them a message that Lady Tia Jane Austin was having a party that night and would love it if Ryan and Holly could make it.

***

It was 5:04 when Vicky knocked on the door to the apartment. “Miss Hope? Someone wants to talk to you.”

Holland cracked the door open enough to see her employee. “If it’s about the new book, I’ve ordered a few more copies. They’ll be in by Monday.”

“Good to know.” A familiar voice came from beside Vicky.

The door swung against its hinges when Holland pushed it. Ryan’s friend Tucker was standing behind the counter, smiling sweetly.

“Hey, Princess. Heard you’re actually female.”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Hi Tucker. What brings you here?”

“Books.” He grinned. “And a message from Ryan.” He paused to gauge her reaction. When her expression didn’t change, he continued. “You’ve been invited to another party. He’ll pick you up at six thirty.” He handed her a bag he’d been hiding behind his back. “Wear this.”

Vicky looked between the two of them, confused. “I’m sorry, but who’s Ryan? Is he your boyfriend?”

“Fiancé.” Tucker corrected.

“Pretend fiancé.” Holland revised. “It has something to do with his father.”

“But he gives you clothes?” Vicky clicked her tongue. “Sounds pretty serious.”

“Vicky, how’s the restocking coming?” Holland smiled when her employee ran to the shelves without a single glance back. “Thank you for the message, Tucker. I’ll be ready at six thirty.”

***

Oliver was waiting outside the shop when the car pulled up at six twenty. Ryan quickly pushed the book he’d brought into a side compartment. His experience with girls and parties was that they always took forever to get changed. He’d expected to be waiting a good half-hour before she was ready.

“Hi.” He said, stepping out of the car. “You’re ready.”

She shrugged, pulling her coat tighter around herself. “There wasn’t much to do. The dress was simple to put on, and there were some accessories in the bag to go with it. I don’t own any make-up, so that didn’t take any time.”

Ryan was stunned by her words. She sounded like a lady, but the things she was saying proved otherwise. I think I… He stopped the thought before it could progress. She’s good. He revised.

He held the door open for her, but she walked around and opened the other door to get in. He climbed in and saw she was perfectly seated. His heart jumped, but he pushed it back down before he could think anything of it.

As the car drove to Lady Austin’s estate, Ryan stole sideways glances at Oliver. She stared out the window for most of the ride, her hands poised in her lap. It wasn’t until the car had stopped that she spoke. “Didn’t we just go to a party last night? Why is there another one?”

“Tia Jane has something to announce.” Ryan explained. “In high society, that means she’ll throw a party. At some point, she’ll command attention and make her announcement.”

“I’m assuming its good news.” Oliver chuckled. “Why throw a happy party if it were bad?”

“True.” Ryan got out and opened her door. This time, she waited and took the hand he offered. “It may even be an engagement party.”

“For Tia Jane?”

“For us.”