If I Fall by Kelseyleigh Reber Page A

fire.
    “This is a beautiful cabin, Mrs. Laurence,” Dela says.
    Mrs. Laurence looks around, as though just noticing its beauty. “That is very kind of you to say. Thank you.”
    For a moment, I am most pleased with Dela’s behavior, before she says, “It must have cost a fortune.”
    I slam my heel down on her toe as I send her another piercing glare, but she simply continues. “Do you own a car, too? Vi wishes to own a car, but I personally—”
    I shoot out of my seat so fast the chaise jerks back as though cowed by my intensity. “Dela!” I chide.
    Her innocent blue eyes find mine. Mrs. Laurence chuckles and I gaze at her dubiously.
    “Oh, it is quite all right, Miss Hamilton. I admire young women who are not afraid to speak their minds. Should women not say what they feel just because it is not viewed as proper? The prejudices against women are not all too different from the prejudices against the Marked, Miss Hamilton. You would be wise to remember that.”
    An apology forms in my mind, but before I can utter it, a door slams shut. Our attention snaps towards the source of the sound and my stomach skips into my throat. Standing just outside the bedroom door is Mr. Laurence. His hair is tousled, ends sticking out at odd angles. One side of his shirt is untucked and his tie twists over one shoulder. As he steps forward, I realize his feet are bare against the carpet.
    “Mother, it’s Elvira. She has—” His voice fills with urgency before his gaze settles on me. “Oh,” he whispers, his crazed green eyes seeming to calm with this single word.
    Mrs. Laurence stands and Dela follows. “Good morning, my darling. I was just getting to know your new friend. The cabin she has been staying in is, unfortunately, infested with rats. I have offered her a place in our cabin and she has graciously accepted.”
    He nods as she speaks, his gaze flaring with her last words, but I cannot read his expression. “Yes, that sounds reasonable.”
    Dela stands on the tips of her toes to reach my ear and whispers, “I forgive you. I would have snuck off to see him, too, if I were you.”
    Without a word, I pinch her arm. She smiles tightly as she turns to Mr. Laurence. “Are you going to introduce me or not, El?” she says, loud enough for all to hear.
    Her words make me jump, and I blink rapidly as though awakened from a strange dream. “Yes, of course. Mr. Laurence, may I introduce my sister, Dela Hamilton. Dela, this is Mr. Laurence.” Secretly, I hold my breath, waiting for her sure-to-be-embarrassing reply.
    “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dela,” he says, pressing his lips against the top of her hand. Her cheeks flare bright red and I roll my eyes, suppressing a giggle. When he rises, he turns to me. “You never told me you had a sister, Vi.”
    “Adam!” Mrs. Laurence barks. “I am terribly sorry, Miss Hamilton. My son has a terrible aversion to using anything besides one’s Christian name.”
    I smile. “He also seems quite fond of creating nicknames,” I say as we all laugh at his expense.
    Mrs. Laurence glances at the door and sighs. “My sincere apologies, but I really must be going. I promised Mrs. Lindel I would accompany her to morning tea.”
    “Ah, yes, I remember,” Mr. Laurence says, stepping closer.
    “You will also remember that there is a ball tonight. We all must be in attendance,” she says. Looking around the room, she calls for Gertrude.
    The old woman appears from the bedroom. “Yes, Mrs. Laurence?”
    “If you could please draw a bath and assist the girls in bathing and dressing.”
    “Of course, Mrs. Laurence,” she says before departing into the bathroom.
    I glance at Mr. Laurence, entreating him with my eyes to say something. He clears his throat, shuffling forward on his bare feet. “I am sure Vi is quite capable of bathing herself, Mother.”
    “I don’t need any help either!” Dela whines.
    She glances between us hesitantly, but eventually throws her hands in the