Chapter 7: Savannah’s Sharp Tongues

Judge Wilkins’s mother was throwing herself a birthday bash. Wartime meant it wasn’t as grand as usual, but only Savannah’s most polished ladies were invited.

The Harris family didn’t have much pull, but we still got an invite.

The mansion glittered with music and laughter. I sat at a back table, sipping sweet tea, catching every word from the circle of society women nearby.

"All three Foster brothers are catches. Even the governor’s daughter wanted the second Foster boy."

"Didn’t you know? The eldest Foster just married that girl sitting at the last table. I hear she runs the house, even the toughest brother brags about her."

I followed their glances—they meant Tanya.

"She’s pretty, but there’s something sly in her eyes."

"I talked to her twice. She’s too flirty, not proper at all."

"Still, the eldest Foster likes her, doesn’t he?"

One woman leaned in, voice low. "You’ve been a widow for three years, right? Even if you can’t snag a Foster, you could always pick out a handsome bodyguard. They might be even more exciting than Major Harris. I’ve got connections…"

Someone spotted me. "Isn’t that the Harris family’s new bride?"

Instantly, smiles flashed—bright, empty, all teeth and no warmth. Their pearls clinked like ice cubes in sweet tea.

I smirked. Tanya probably heard all this, got jealous, and started thinking of picking out young men for herself.

I glanced at Tanya, catching her proud little smile.

The second Foster son, coveted by the governor’s daughter, and the three brothers all belonged to her—a merchant’s wife. No wonder she flaunted it.

But she didn’t know the second Foster turned down the governor’s daughter because he feared it’d ruin the family, not because he was above it all.

Those society women praised the Foster boys, but none wanted to actually marry into the merchant clan. They just used them as conversation fodder.

If Tanya had a lick of sense, she’d hear what they really meant.

The ballroom’s chandeliers glinted, but the smiles were knives wrapped in velvet.

When the party ended, the cars lined up. The Harris family’s old sedan was last.

I stepped outside for air. Tanya followed, her smile bright as ever.

She said, "So you’re an official’s wife now, sis, and you won’t even say hello? Acting too good for your own blood?"