#thornykitty

It had been the longest twenty-four hours of Ceara’s life. Well, second longest. But she was mentally exhausted either way, and her new pupil wouldn’t wait until all was well again. Even she didn’t know when all would be well again, which was scarier than the relief of knowing but having to endure. Everything was right back where it’d been before: her school was unfunded and she was heartbroken. Perhaps coming to London wasn’t the best idea.

None of those feelings changed when she stood before the imposing door of the Thorne residence. Her expression was unreadable, eyes tired, and mouth pulled into a firm line. For once, she looked older than she was. What an embarrassment she had become. She couldn’t even blame Kitty for not wanting to see her, but she knew that was her simmering insecurities talking. She hadn’t done anything wrong to slight her. But it still didn’t feel good knowing the friend she thought she’d made turned out to not be a friend at all.

With a deep sigh, Ceara reached out and gave three sharp raps to the door, blinking too slow to be considered normal. As if she didn’t have the energy to dare blink. She didn’t have the energy to do much, really. She missed Ireland, her parents. Hell, even her treacherous sister. But she stood straight and tried to recenter herself. There was a little girl in need of teaching, not trying to understand adult problems.

Riya was always great at gauging bad ideas and decisions. In fact, it usually worked in her favor and got her out of making bad decisions. However, inviting Katherine Thorne into the same home her sister resided was, in essence, quite a bad idea. The likelihood of them interacting was bumped tenfold now that they’d be under a single roof, even for just an hour or two.

So, she made it her mission to keep things hush-hush on the matter. Kavika did not need to know exactly that Kitty was helping her for the season. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her, right? At least, that was how the saying went. This entire ordeal was exhausting Riya, who was never one to tell a white lie or even sneak about in such a way.

But she needed something, and Katherine was willing to give her services in exchange for more attainable beauty. Who would she be if she didn’t take her up on the offer?

“I will let you know,” she began as she turned to Katherine. “Kavika is still here, though she is unlikely to barge into my room unless something truly prompts her to. And the gowns I owe you have been laundered and displayed for you before we begin.”