hapter 232


    Tris


    **


    Announcing... Lady Iris Willford!" the attendant calls out. "The long-lost Willford beir has returned!"


    The room goes utterly silent as I step through the doorway. Hundreds of eyes turn to stare at me all at once, and I feel my throat tighten. Fuck. This is even more intense than I imagined.


    My mother gives my ann a reassuring squeeze before stepping away, leaving me alone in the spotlight. The silence stretches on, ufortably long, and all I can hear is the thundering of my own heartbeat in my ears.


    Itrained for this moment, of course. We practiced my entrance over and over and over again until I could do it in my sleep, and yet... I can''t move.


    Just when I think I might actually pass out, Calebes to stand beside me. He gently takes my hand and ces it on his arm. "Breathe," he whispers. "I''m right here, little sister."


    I nod lightly, take a deep breath, and take my first step with him by my side. The crowd begins to murmur, then whisper, then talk openly as I descend the few steps into the ballroom proper.


    "I thought she was the spitting image of Maeve when she was young-"


    can''t believe the Willfords kept this secret-"


    "I wonder what this means for the future..."


    I keep my chin up and my expression pleasant, just like I practiced. Inside, though, I''m a jumble of nerves. All of these people are no doubt waiting for me to mess up again, to embarrass myself and now my entire newfound family-just as I have before.


    "Miss Willford," a smooth voice suddenly calls, and I turn to see a tall, elegant woman approaching. She''s breathtakingly beautiful, with honey-blonde hair cascading down her back and silvery eyes that immediately mark her as a Willford. Her gown is a deep midnight blue that contrasts stunningly with her fair skin


    "Veronica," Caleb greets her warmly. "Perfect timing. Iris, this is our cousin, Veronica. She''s our aunt''s daughter on our mom'' side."


    My eyes widen as I finally ce her. Veronica Matthews-the world-renowned pianist. I''ve seen her on magazine covers, watched her performances online, even attended a few with Brian and Liam.


    She''s a prodigy who began ying at age three and debuted with the Ordan Philharmonic at twelve. She''s a legend.


    "It''s an honor to meet you," I say, extending my hand. "I''m a huge fan of your work."


    Veronica''s perfect eyebrows rise slightly. "Are you? How delightful." She takes my hand and shakes it. "The family resemnce is remarkable. You''re going to cause quite a stir in our little world, Iris."


    "I think I already have," I reply, ncing around at the still-whispering crowd.


    Sheughs, and somehow it''s just as musical as her piano abilities. "Oh, this is nothing. Wait until the press gets hold of the full story." She leans in conspiratorially. "I hear you''ve already had a taste of their attention this morning."


    News travels fast. "A small misunderstanding. Nothing important.


    "Hmm. Well, they''ll find plenty more to specte about now." Her gaze shifts over my shoulder, and her smile tightens almost imperceptibly. "Speaking of spection."


    I turn to see Arthur making his way toward us, looking devastatingly handsome in his formal attire. My heart does a little flip at the sight of him.


    "Arthur," Veronica greets him with a practiced smile, "How lovely to see you again."


    "Veronica," he responds politely. "It''s been a while."


    An awkward silence falls between them, and I get the distinct impression that there''s some kind of history here. Veronica confirms it a momentter.


    "Did you know, Iris, that Arthur and I were once considered a potential match?" She says this lightly, as ifmenting on the weather. "Before Selina, of course. The families thought we would make a suitable pair."


    I did not know this. I nce at Arthur, who looks distinctly ufortable. "Is that So?"


    "Oh yes. In the end, though, my cousin had more immediate political influence than my branch of the Willford family." She sips her champagne delicately. Isn''t it ironic? Arthur chose Selina for her connections, and now he ends up with a Willford


    anyway." Her giggles airily. "You must be pleased, Arthur. You''re still getting the political alliance you wanted, even with Selina in that unfortunatea."