BooksBarbecue
Back Nobody in Particular
Chapters (61)
  1. Copyright Notice
  2. Dedication
  3. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  4. ONE DANNI
  5. TWO ROSE
  6. THREE DANNI
  7. FOUR DANNI
  8. FIVE ROSE
  9. SIX ROSE
  10. SEVEN DANNI
  11. EIGHT ROSE
  12. NINE DANNI
  13. TEN ROSE
  14. ELEVEN ROSE
  15. TWELVE ROSE
  16. THIRTEEN ROSE
  17. FOURTEEN DANNI
  18. FIFTEEN DANNI
  19. SIXTEEN ROSE
  20. SEVENTEEN DANNI
  21. EIGHTEEN ROSE
  22. NINETEEN ROSE
  23. TWENTY DANNI
  24. TWENTY-ONE DANNI
  25. TWENTY-TWO DANNI
  26. TWENTY-THREE ROSE
  27. TWENTY-FOUR ROSE
  28. TWENTY-FIVE DANNI
  29. TWENTY-SIX ROSE
  30. TWENTY-SEVEN DANNI
  31. TWENTY-EIGHT ROSE
  32. TWENTY-NINE ROSE
  33. THIRTY DANNI
  34. THIRTY-ONE DANNI
  35. THIRTY-TWO ROSE
  36. THIRTY-THREE DANNI
  37. THIRTY-FOUR ROSE
  38. THIRTY-FIVE ROSE
  39. THIRTY-SIX DANNI
  40. THIRTY-SEVEN ROSE
  41. THIRTY-EIGHT DANNI
  42. THIRTY-NINE ROSE
  43. FORTY DANNI
  44. FORTY-ONE ROSE
  45. FORTY-TWO DANNI
  46. FORTY-THREE ROSE
  47. FORTY-FOUR DANNI
  48. FORTY-FIVE ROSE
  49. FORTY-SIX ROSE
  50. FORTY-SEVEN DANNI
  51. FORTY-EIGHT ROSE
  52. FORTY-NINE ROSE
  53. FIFTY ROSE
  54. FIFTY-ONE ROSE
  55. FIFTY-TWO DANNI
  56. EPILOGUE ROSE
  57. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  58. Also by Sophie Gonzales
  59. Praise Page
  60. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  61. Newsletter Sign-up

Though I knew where he was heading with this, it’s still astounding to hear him verbalize it. “I’m seventeen.”

“Yes, and marriage would be ludicrous at present. But if you were to undertake a lengthy engagement, would that be different in any substantial way than simply waiting to become engaged? Time will pass either way, but if it passes with a ring on your finger, you might see these rumors finally quelled.”

And then it won’t make a difference where Danni is, or if I accidentally glance at her.

“Unless you were hoping to wait until you meet the right man,” William says with an air of levity. I suppose, again, I see his point. But this is all happening so fast.

But Danni.

“What you’re suggesting is rather enormous,” I say. “All in exchange for you simply speaking to the headmaster?”

“This isn’t a deal for me. It’s a suggestion for you.”

“Oh, but it is, though. Because as you said, your job is to manage my reputation. This would make you look quite successful at that, wouldn’t it?”

It’s William’s turn to be silent.

“I would have conditions,” I say finally. “I would need a number of reassurances regarding Danni. Keeping her safe and happy will very much become a part of your job, because if it doesn’t, I swear to you, I will break off that engagement during a balcony appearance.”

When William replies, there’s a smile in his voice. It makes me queasy. “We can discuss conditions,” he says. “Lay out your terms.”

FORTY-TWO DANNI

I try my best to do what Rose said and distract myself, I swear, but nothing works. A part of me feels like I should pack, but that also kind of feels like giving up. So, I kill some time by practicing in the ballroom—for what might be the last time—and spend the whole session turning over every second of the last week in my mind while my fingers fly over the keys on muscle memory. It’s like I think if I ruminate for long enough, I’ll get a eureka moment. Nothing hits, though.

By the time the afternoon rolls around and people get out of class, there’s only one thing I can think of that I want to do.

Harriet seems surprised to see me. She keeps the doorway blocked with her body and gives me a look that says she’s not sure whether to bolt or not. I suck in a deep breath and try to give off calm vibes. “Hey. Can we talk real quick? In private?”