'Don't look, Lillian. Never look into the eyes of a Sin-Eater, you will be as cursed as he is and will forever languish in darkness.'
Lillian Elmes remembers the warning her mother gave her about the town's Sin-Eater only too well.
How could she n...
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'Goodness,' Mama says, waving her fan in front of her face, attempting to cool herself in this ridiculous heat. 'Whatever is Matilda Bennett wearing?'
I follow her gaze. 'I think that is what they call a dress.'
'Don't be facetious, dear,' she replies, smiling graciously as Mr. and Mrs. Chatman pass by. 'And at least pretend you are enjoying yourself.'
'Papa said these occasions are not for enjoyment, but for talking about people behind their backs while pretending to agree with everything they say.'
Mama frowns. 'Well then, as I said, at least pretend.' She turns away as Mrs. Foster and her youngest daughter, Constance, draw near. 'Oh, good day, Mrs. Foster. You look delightful today. As do you, Constance.'
I do my best to appear interested – because apparently pretence is of the utmost importance – but I cannot help letting my gaze drift around the gardens of Apley Hall, scouring the faces of all these people we know. I say know, but what do we really know about each other? We are but acquaintances, maintaining this constant show of politeness and decorum, smiles and platitudes, when really Papa's observations do not stray far from the truth. We smile and nod and pretend, but it is all such ridiculous nonsense.
It is all a pretence.
And mayhap for someone who attends today, it is a façade. A way to hide the beast they really are. They smile and nod and pretend, yet all the while plot and scheme the most terrifying of abominations.
Apley Hall, residence of ironmaster William Orme Foster and his wife Isabella – the lady to whom Mama now speaks – is a grand and ostentatious place, set in the sprawling Apley estate of rolling green fields, farmland, and lush forest with a breath-taking view over the Severn Valley. Every summer the Fosters hold a garden party, inviting everyone who matters within the Dale. Of course, Mama was convinced that our invitation would be rescinded once word travelled about my apparently scandalous behaviour at Wilderhope Manor, however it seems my shame is yet to be revealed for the invitation arrived as it usually did.
It seems strange, standing here, surrounded by these people, most of whom I have known my whole life. Everyone looks the same and yet, somehow different. Could someone here by hiding the most terrible secret? I cannot fathom how any of these people could be the one that persecutes the dead and seeks to destroy Daniel. How does one spot a monster among men? I look from one to the next and see nothing. In fact, I know not how to even go about starting to discover who the villain is.
