He looked down, studying her face. ‘Then I’m going to leave in order to maintain my flawless record.’ He swallowed, eyes moving over her face. ‘I’ll send one of the girls over and see you out front when you’re ready.’
‘Prepare yourself for visual splendour.’
He bit back a smile as he exited the bed. ‘I’ll do my best.’
She lay with her hand resting on the warm linen where he had been, watching him put on his boots, tunic, weapons, and finally his cloak. His eyes met hers a final time, and then he was gone.
Only when the linen went cold beneath her hand did she crawl out of her blanket cave. It was time to transform herself into a noblewoman.
Lana arrived shortly after Roul’s departure with a basin of warm water, a handheld mirror, and a bowl of soup. ‘Want me to stay and help you dress?’
Eda gave her an appreciative smile. ‘I can manage, but thank you.’
‘I’ll leave you to it, then.’
Eda downed the soup in a few seconds, then had a wash. After laying everything out on the bed, she began the long process of dressing. Undergarments, breast band, chemise, stockings, then finally the very expensive, heavy gown. It was made from green silk, with lavish embroidery along the sleeves and neckline. Eda felt as though her breasts were pushed up to her chin, but upon inspecting herself in the mirror, she relaxed. While it was certainly more skin than she normally displayed, it was entirely appropriate for a noblewoman. Queen Fayre knew what she was doing. Not only was it flattering, but the colour matched her eyes, making them appear brighter than normal.
She spent the next half hour brushing knots from her hair, then braided it in the way Queen Fayre had shown her, half up and pinned in a loop at the back of her head. After applying some red paste to her lips, she picked up the grey cloak from the bed.
Done.
She was now Lady Hayley of Peytone House, cousin to Prince Becket. All she had to do now was convince everyone at Harlech Castle of it. If she could just get the prince alone in a room, she would tell him everything and persuade him to return to Chadora with them.
‘No one laughs,’ Eda warned as she exited the house and walked over to where the defenders stood with their horses.
And nobody did.
It was shock and confusion that registered on their faces. Not surprising given they had only ever seen her in trousers. They looked thoroughly uncomfortable.
Glancing at a gaping Hadewaye, Eda said, ‘What? Say it.’
‘You look like a lady,’ Hadewaye said. ‘But a proper one.’
‘That’s sort of the point’ was Eda’s reply.
Blackmane turned away, ignoring her completely.
Tatum crossed his arms, assessing her head to toe. ‘Well, well, well. Who knew beneath all that sweat and grunt lay this feminine masterpiece?’
Eda stopped to greet Basil, rubbing his forelock. ‘Glad you’re getting all your jokes out of the way now.’ She continued towards Alveye, who was holding her horse. He handed her the reins when she reached him.
‘It’s just going to take us a while to get used to it,’ he said.
‘I’d prefer you didn’t get used to it,’ Eda replied, preparing to mount. ‘Because the second we leave Harlech Castle, I’ll be changing.’
‘Are you going to be able to ride in that thing?’ Hadewaye called to her.
She rolled her eyes. ‘I’ve worn dresses before.’
Alveye held the head of her horse. ‘Do you need help getting up?’
She was about to tell him no, of course not, then realised the stiff, heavy fabric might prove to be problematic. There was no elegant way to mount a horse wearing such a dress. But before she had a chance to admit it aloud, hands landed on her waist, lifting her. She swung her leg over the saddle, eyes meeting Roul’s as she adjusted her skirt atop the horse.
‘Thank you.’
He nodded, gaze falling to the neckline of her dress. Her cloak had caught behind one shoulder on the way up. Swallowing, he said, ‘You really look the part.’
She was surprised by the heat crawling over her skin. It was amazing what a simple drop of the gaze could do. It felt like a finger tracing her neckline. She reached up and fixed her cloak, prompting Roul to look away.
