Free The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead Page A

changes everything. I’m not sure what to do about you now.”
    It took me a moment to follow. “Are you chastising me too?”
    â€œNo. I mean, yes. I don’t know. But I’m not sure if being associated with two troublemakers is going to help me around here.”
    Mira looked startled. “What did I do?”
    â€œNothing yet.” Tamsin
almost
seemed chagrined. “But you saw how it was down there after just five minutes. People like Clara aren’t going to let up on you.”
    â€œSo you want to be associated with someone like Clara?” I asked.
    â€œHell no. But I’ve got to plan my strategy here. I can’t fail.” There was the slightest tremor in her voice at that last part—vulnerability, more than arrogance. Mira caught it too.
    â€œYou won’t fail,” she said kindly. “Just keep up with everything. Cedric said as long as we score in a passing range, we’re guaranteed to go to Adoria.” Her use of his first name, with no honorific, wasn’t lost on me.
    â€œI have to do more than just pass.” Tamsin glanced down at the folded paper in her hands and then looked up with renewed determination. Her other fist clenched beside her. “I have to be the best. The best in our manor. The best in all the other manors. And I have to do whatever it takes to make the best marriage in Adoria—the wealthiest man I can find, one who’ll do anything for me. If that means being cutthroat here? So be it.”
    â€œWho needs cutthroat when you’ve got me? If you want to be on top, then I’m your best bet. I already know half of all this from being in a grand lady’s house. Stick with me, and you’re guaranteed to succeed. Stick with both of us,” I added, with a glance at Mira.
    I still knew nothing about her, but that sense of connection remained. I didn’t know much about Tamsin either, aside from her willingness to become “cutthroat”—which didn’t exactly come as a surprise after our brief acquaintance. But Cedric’s words were weighing on me, about how important it was that I not screw up and give myself away. I was more likely to pull that off if I had backup.
    Were these two the best backup I might have chosen? Unclear. But as my roommates for the next year, they were the best candidates.
    â€œYou’re probably not the only one thinking this place is cutthroat,” I continued. My persuasive skills hadn’t exactly been top-notchrecently, but after winning Cedric to my side, I was starting to feel confident again. “So you know the others are going to be ruthless— especially if you are the best.”
    â€œThere’s no ‘if,’” said Tamsin.
    â€œRight. Well, then, someone like Clara’s going to target you for sure. And you know she’ll surround herself in cronies too. She’ll have eyes and ears everywhere—you’d better have them too. Who knows if she’ll stoop to sabotage? And you might think I’m a troublemaker, but I’m also a troublemaker who knows the difference between
sec
,
demi-sec
, and
doux
wine.”
    â€œDemi-what?” asked Tamsin.
    I crossed my arms over my chest, triumphant. “Exactly.”
    â€œSo you’ve got the insider information. I’m obviously the leader.” Tamsin’s eyes fell on Mira. “What do
you
have to offer?”
    When Mira simply met her gaze unblinkingly, I supplied, “Well, she apparently survived a war zone. I somehow doubt this is going to be harder.”
    Tamsin looked as though she was trying to decide about that. Before the conversation could continue, a knock sounded at the door. Mistress Masterson entered with clothing slung over one arm. “Here are some day dresses for you to wear today. We can make adjustments later. Put them on, wash your faces, and be downstairs in fifteen minutes.” Her eyes fell on me. “And Adelaide, I