Elizabeth

Here hung a disco ball, did not touch anyone. But then he fell to the floor and rolled ... Something like that, it seems, Eliza went to social events, judging by her wardrobe. Everything is voluminous, everything is in sparkles - well, just a disco ball.

And given Ryan's reaction to my words, I wasn't the only one who thought this was strange. No, of course, everyone has their own tastes, and I’m not exactly judging, but I just personally don’t want to walk around like this. And not only is the foray into society in itself, where there are those who know Eliza, it is also a test. At least pass it in an acceptable form.

Departure was planned in the evening, before dinner. And I really hoped that before that time a ghost would appear and tell who I might meet there: names, some features - in general, everything that I might need for a successful conspiracy. But no! This non-guardian seems to have decided that I could easily improvise on the spot and without any prompting.

So if normal girls gathered for such events with joy and anticipation, then I had the feeling that I was almost going to the camp of the enemy. A kind of Stirlitz - every awkward word threatens with exposure and death ...

Because of all this, by the right time, I was already all on my nerves. And looking at myself in the mirror before leaving the room, I kept thinking that tonight would definitely be a test of strength. And it would be nice if my companion would be support, but no, Ryan, with his dislike for Eliza, is certainly in the camp of opponents.

- Mistress, the master is already waiting for you in the hall, - said the maid who looked into the bedroom.

“Now I will,” I nodded.

Well, go ahead and fight. And let's hope that this fight will be without casualties.

At least from my side.

rian

By evening the weather had deteriorated. A blizzard was howling outside, as if winter were trying to prove for the last time that she was still the mistress here. And all this bad weather just coincided with the mood ...

A magical search for a marriage connection turned up absolutely nothing. Yes, even if Eliza was dead, it would still be displayed! But no, she was quite healthy, but now she was so far away that it was as if she were beyond the reach of magic. However, she will find someone to ruin her life everywhere. And here it was certainly not her fate that worried, but the role of the impostor in all this. It's not just that someone replaced his wife.

All these thoughts haunted me. And now, waiting for Lisa in the hall, he was already seriously thinking about demanding answers from her. Of course, this whole game is very funny, but obviously not just like that! And the sooner you find out what goals the still hidden manipulator is pursuing, the better.

And filled with the desire to uncompromisingly interrogate and extort the truth, he fixed his gaze up the stairs, as soon as footsteps were heard.

And I forgot what I was thinking...

Lisa didn't look at him. She just walked down the steps in a slight thought, one hand sliding along the railing, and the other lightly holding the hem of a dark green satin dress. The magical light of a crystal chandelier played with highlights on the golden embroidery of the bodice and tiny golden buds in Lisa's dark curls. And that's all. On this, all the radiance was limited.

But why now she seemed dazzling?

Why, with all the simplicity of the image, was it perceived as a vision? An unearthly creature, too perfect and incomprehensible for this mortal world...

The impetuous "Who are you? .." almost broke from his lips. Although it wasn't even who she really was that mattered more. And why he reacts to her like some enthusiastic youth who has never known women.

And that was… annoying.

For the first time ever, something was out of his control.

Elizabeth

It seems as if I found myself in a locked cage with a dangerous predator, and the only thing that separates me from a mournful death is that the predator still has not decided whether to devour me now or leave it for later.

No, Ryan did not show any aggression. He didn't show any emotion at all. But as soon as we got into the carriage and set off, much more clearly than before, we felt the overwhelming uncompromising power emanating from him.

This is how you look at a person, in general you see him for the first time, for example, and you don’t know him, but at first glance it’s clear that if necessary, he will easily and effortlessly smear anyone on the asphalt with an even layer.

Same with Ryan. He didn't instill fear as such. But he forced all instincts to remain alert, constantly in suspense. And that's why it was terribly uncomfortable, and a lot of goosebumps did nothing but run back and forth across the skin in a panic.

Okay, calm down, just some six days after today, and this man will disappear from my life forever ...

- Something you are unusually silent, - even if the twilight of the carriage hid the face of Ryan sitting opposite, but for some reason it seemed to me that in the eyes of my "husband" a smile was probably read.

- There is something to think about. In silence.

That's clearly understood my hint! But to organize this very silence was still not going to.

“You used to always think out loud. For any reason. Why don't you hurry to share your thoughts now?

“Thoughts are shared with those who are considered worthy of it,” I retorted with no less condescension.

So now I'm not worthy? He seemed to be having a hard time holding back his laughter.

- Exactly. And the depth of my disappointment is so great that now I don’t understand at all what kind of dope I was in when I got married - not that I purposely wanted to hurt him, not at all. But the farther Rian keeps from me, the less likely he is to catch me on something that clearly betrays my imposture.

“In any case, in public these days we are obliged to portray happy spouses,” even if my words were unpleasant to him, all the same, my voice remained the same imperturbable. “Do not forget that we are under constant magical surveillance in public. You do not want us to extend the period of this imposed society on each other?

- I don't want to, of course.

"Then why did you ask your father about it?"

Hey, got it! And I, the fool, did not see through the dirty trick in advance!

Okay, let's get out...

“I didn’t ask,” and the tone is calmer, so that Rian will definitely believe that I don’t care. - This is ice ... ahem ... his mother persuaded him. She still believes in this marriage, because she believes that there was just some kind of misunderstanding that could easily be resolved this week.

And then, without restraint, she added:

- Do we generally have to go somewhere to such events before the end of the term? Is it possible to say sick, lame or something else?

- Believe me, this whole idea also does not bring any pleasure, but, alas, the next few days are scheduled from and to. You can't sit within four walls. So you will somehow have to portray a happy wife for the rest of your life.

Yes, I have a hard time imagining it!

Imagine that Rian is Igor, and behave in public the way I would behave with Igor? ..

By the way ... But today there will probably be other guests at the reception ...

But what if Igor's doppelgänger is also invited?..

‍​Luckily, we didn't drive long. The carriage soon turned off the main road into a wide alley, and although a light snowfall worsened visibility, the approaching mansion, littered with magical lights, was clearly visible through the window.

Well... There must be a lot of people there... And in particular, those who definitely communicated with Eliza... These people will try to communicate with me, and I don't even know their names!

The carriage stopped. Ryan came out first and offered me his hand. Trying not to show the rolling slight panic, I got out of the carriage and ... Extremely unsuccessful.

If Rian had not been in front of me, I would definitely have imprinted my face into the path carefully cleared of snow. But after a moment I regretted that there was not a path in front of me after all ...

Yes, Ryan instantly managed to grab me by the waist, and in the end I actually fell into his arms. And it was so embarrassing that we nearly bumped noses! And in this position they froze ... Rian held me very tightly, by inertia I grabbed onto him myself. And even if this stupor lasted only a brief moment, but ...

Why does it seem to me that Rian doesn’t really want to let me go?.. Why does it seem that his blue eyes openly read, if not interest, then at least extremely alarming curiosity?.. And why doesn’t it scare me at all, but even how something ... pleasantly worried, or something ...

- Are you okay? Ryan let me go.

I immediately even took a step back, and almost ran my back into the carriage door.

“Yes,” and his voice trembled for some reason, “I’m fine, thank you.”

I also wanted to add about the fact that I just stumbled on the hem on the step of the carriage, and certainly not on purpose depicted a fall here for the sake of hugs, but ...

All thoughts were blown out of my head at once.

Another carriage had just arrived, no less luxurious and also with a coat of arms on the door. Although Igor, who came out of it, was also in otherworldly clothes, and in addition, because of something, he was pale and even as if exhausted, but still I immediately recognized him!

“Your Grace,” Ryan nodded in greeting, “Lady Eliza,” and as if looking at me, hopeless torment was reflected in his eyes ...

- Lord Irvine, - Ryan did not remain in debt.

I nodded too. Already three times, just in case, in pursuit, although he was already climbing the steps to the entrance to the mansion. And feeling stupid at that moment, I still could not overcome the growing anxiety. Yes, this is not Igor, this is just his double. Yes, the ghost warned that he was under the influence of a love spell. But I see in him the one I'm in love with! And now he is clearly suffering!

What can I do in this situation?

Only here, as they say: but I am given to another and will be faithful to him until the end of the week.

But then, when the pseudo-husband will not get in the way, I ...

"Let's go," Ryan knocked me out of my thoughts. He impudently took his hand and led him to the arched entrance to the mansion. “I hope you haven’t forgotten that the Hallingtons’ reception is in honor of their middle daughter, Divena, who returned from the boarding school where she studied for the last three years. Do not forget to congratulate her on her return and say some compliment and, most importantly, sincere.

- "What a fine fellow you are, that you were in a boarding school and did not get married, do not repeat other people's mistakes," - as luck would have it, I thought it out loud.

Ryan chuckled.

I'm afraid she won't understand what you mean. In case you suddenly forgot, I was considered the most enviable bachelor, and many girls would give everything in the world to be in your place, - and he said it with such an air as if I would now, with a fan squeal, begin to beg him to write an autograph right on my chest. – Fortunately, in a week everything will be back to normal.

And he added with obvious provocation in a sly look:

- So I will again find myself in the center of female attention, but you, unfortunately, will be considered just the one that did not suit me ...

Challenge, Your Grace? Well, get it!

- You can believe me, I myself can not wait until you again become this most enviable bachelor, - I retorted with a sweet smile. “And I will try my best not to let anyone know that in some…ahem…aspects, my expectations of you were too…ahem…exaggerated.”

And without waiting for us to start playing Othello, who would not even ask if I had prayed for the night, I was the first to slip through the doors of the mansion kindly opened by footmen.

I still couldn't get far. Almost immediately in the lobby, Rian grabbed my elbow. Fortunately, there were not so many people here, although we still immediately became the object of close attention.

Ryan whispered to me, not too benevolently:

- Spouses should appear together. Kindly follow the rules of etiquette. Is your memory failing you?

Or is there a clear hint of my imposture. Or, as they say, a thief's hat is on fire, that's why I imagine exposure.

- I'm all right with both etiquette and memory, - she answered just as barely audibly. - And if something now looks indecent, then such is our whispering.

Even if Rian wanted to object, he didn’t, just a tall, overweight man in a flowery camisole and a gray mustache so lush and long that it was just right to twist them with ringlets trotted over to us.

- Lord Ryan, what a successful meeting! - he boomed so cordially, as if in his mind he already squeezed my pseudo-husband in his arms with might and main. To keep him from running away. - And then for some reason I still can not get an audience with you! Finally, at least here it will be possible to talk with you!

- I'm afraid, Lord Heir, my lovely wife is categorically against my leaving her alone, - Ryan retorted with a polite smile.

- Well, why, - I smiled no less politely, - I don't mind at all. Moreover, any well-bred lady will never interfere with men's conversations.

No, no, buddy, you still won't kill me with a look, no matter how hard you try.

Only, I feel, the tiger’s whiskers will be repelled by the cat ...

But now the consequences of Rian's anger seemed to me far from being the main thing. I hastily proceeded into the spacious hall after the elderly couple arrived.

It turned out to be quite spacious, and there were enough people. Behind a white piano on a pedestal, a lovely blonde was sitting and selflessly playing. Moreover, the musical instrument, in time with the melody, created wonderful light streams, sinuously pouring in all directions, bending around the guests.

And although I froze for a few moments, admiring such a curiosity, my eyes immediately began to seek out Igor's double among the silently listening public.

Do you even understand where this obsession comes from? A sudden voice in my head made me shudder.

No, look who showed up! Right now, don't say anything!

But the ghost ignored my mental indignation. He calmly continued:

- For your information, it's not just that. Eliza bewitched Irwin using black magic. And black magic is too thirsty for redemption. So this redemption, for some reason, has spilled over to you, as Eliza's doppelgänger. And the love spell was created for what? To marriage! That's why you supposedly fell in love with Irwin's doppelgänger as soon as you met him. That's why he himself thinks about marriage. Black magic doesn't care: doubles are not doubles, the main thing is redemption.

That is ... you want to say that there was nothing real in my feelings, nor in Igor's feelings? .. And all the emotions that I feel now are imposed on me by black magic so that I can correct Eliza's love spell?

Yes, it's just in my head!

But if everything is true, then how to deal with it?

- What do I care. These are your problems.

And he disappeared, leaving me completely confused.

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‍​It is not very pleasant to realize that your great and bright love can only be a consequence of other people's dirty tricks and a heightened sense of justice of black magic. But in any case, knowing this did little to help. What's the point of telling someone that the grass isn't really green if that someone still sees it as exclusively green...?

Cherishing such dull thoughts, I stood at one of the columns and pretended to be completely carried away by someone else's playing the piano. The girl, whose name I managed to safely forget, really played wonderfully. And even the fact that she clearly showed off in front of the public did not spoil her skill in any way. I wonder if Eliza was into music? And if so, will I fail on this? ..

"Lady Eliza," the soft voice above my ear sounded so unexpected that I almost jumped. She turned around right away.

Igor's double stood literally a couple of steps away, at the most etiquette-allowable distance, not counting the dances. And up close, Irwin's pallor, haggard eyes, and sunken cheeks made an even more depressing impression.

“Forgive me for disturbing you again,” he spoke in a barely audible voice and so hastily, as if I was guaranteed not only to interrupt him, but at least to fan him in the face, “but this is beyond my strength. Those words of yours during our last conversation that such a miserable nonentity like me is not even worthy to talk to you, still ...

He was not wrong in his expectations. I interrupted.

- You are not a nonentity at all, - the indignant whisper turned out to be a little louder than I expected. Fortunately, the music sounded loud enough to hide our conversation from others.

I hastily added:

“Even if Al…I said so, it doesn't mean that I think so. It was simply said in the hearts under the pressure of certain circumstances. But believe me, I really don't think so at all. And you can’t even imagine how ashamed I am now for such statements.

No, well, what a bastard Eliza! Not only did she bewitch a guy she didn’t need for a hundred years, she also slapped him!

Irwin didn't answer right away. He looked at me as if this contemplation could easily be the meaning of his life. And it even gave me goosebumps. Very bad goosebumps of instinctive fear ... It seemed that only completely driven fanatics capable of anything could look at the object of adoration in this way ...

- You can not even imagine how gratifying your words are to me, - Irwin's voice trembled. “And if you would allow me to talk to you at least for a little while in the future, I would already be unspeakably happy. You know, I breathe only you, I live only you ... - but then he pulled himself up: - Most humbly forgive my liberty, dear Eliza. I don't dare to bother you anymore, - nodding, as if in farewell, he hastily walked away.

And then the reason for his flight taxied out among the other guests.

Yeah, so Irwin just noticed Ryan approaching, that's why he bowed out so quickly. That's just ... it even became easier for me to breathe. Let me understand all the absurdity: Eliza did it, but I am ashamed and ashamed of her. But still there was nothing she could do about it. Irwin evoked agonizing guilt and a desire to help. And it is unlikely that the reason for this was black magic. Rather, banal compassion.

- And what did they talk about so nicely? Ryan, who came up, inquired as if by the way.

- About nothing. Usual empty secular shuffling - I did not look at him, supposedly completely absorbed in the performance of the performer. And let her play longer!

But Ryan was in no hurry to lag behind.

Leaning close to my ear, he said in a barely audible voice:

- Once again, you will decide to run away from me so brazenly, and you will definitely regret it.

"Will I regret not running far enough?" I still gave him a quick glance. Ryan, I'm sorry, but I'm not afraid of you. If you really want to intimidate someone, find yourself a more receptive candidate.

Although he chuckled, his eyes showed growing curiosity:

- I don't want you to be afraid of me. But you must respect.

I instantly frowned.

Did I do something disrespectful? Did she defame you, dishonor you, betray you? Not at all. Well, the fact that you do not like my manner of communication, what to do, is your own fault.

- And what did I manage to do? He looked at me with a smile, but I still tried to keep a straight face.

“Disappointed me,” I replied as a matter of course. - I got married in the hope of a great and bright future in a strong loving family, but alas, alas ... So let's just conclude a non-aggression pact and try to somehow survive the remaining six days without victims.

- Do not think in advance, - it sounded quite ambiguous. “So what exactly were you whispering to Irwin about?”‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‍

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