Clapping his hands in delight, the lord led us inside. We were greeted right away by colorful displays of geometry and art. Scenic landscapes and histories muraled the clean, whitewashed walls,leading up into coffered ceilings. It had all the warmth of Hadria, only slightly tempered by Gallaean elements.
I was taken to my room first. Winnie opened the window for fresh air, and before she could return to close the door, a cluster of lower servants entered behind us. Their clothing was so revealing, I had to gasp and turn away. Setting a chest onto the floor, the women left just as quickly, leaving Winnie to plunder whatever was left behind.
She took out a heap of colorful clothes and dropped them like she’d seen a cockroach. “Why, this would hardly suffice as nightwear! They can’t mean to dress you in such a manner!”
I retrieved a burgundy dress and held it up. The neckline plunged nearly to the navel, with sheer, ornately-laced sleeves already attached to the garment. At least it was more coverage than what the servant girls wore. “I think they mean for us both to wear them.”
Winnie covered her mouth, carefully lifting another gown with the same distance given to soiled garments. “What would my mother say?”
I laughed. “I don’t believe I’ve heard you speak of your parents before. You must be rather shocked to bring them up now.”
A flash of darkness spread through Winnie’s features. Obviously I’d touched on something sensitive, so I dug through the chest for a distraction. With her dark brunette hair and brown eyes, light colors would do her wonders; I retrieved a nude pink dress and held it up to the lady-in-waiting.
“This will do nicely. It’s a shame Duke Minnick isn’t here. Imagine how you would fluster him.”
“My lady!”Winnie protested.
“It looks easy to put on,” I noted, disrobing myself without help. Winnie was too horrified to speak. As I went to the mirror, I took off even my chemise, standing nude before the reflection. I slid the lightweight fabric easily over my head, working my arms cautiously through the lacy sleeves. Once it was on, I couldn’t help but blush— Mother was right, Ihadfilled out—yet I admired the obvious craftsmanship of the gown. Within the armoire, I located accessories to match; with golden clasps, I attached a translucent burgundy cape to my shoulders, then added a belt to my waist. It paired well with the white leaves embroidered into the main fabric. “How did I do?”
Winnie gathered her wits. She grimaced at the revealing garments, then came to add her own accessories to the ensemble. Beaded seashells now dangled from the belt, and a delicate jeweled necklace finished the piece. “To think you found yourself so startled by Gallaean fineries only weeks ago! If that is all, my lady, I think I shall remain in here.”
“You truly won’t do it?” I asked, pouting.
“Not a chance.”
“You would send your lady outalonein such a dress, forsaking the comfort your solidarity would provide?”
“I would.”
I grinned. “I hereby invoke my status andcommandyou to put on the dress.”
Winnie put her hands on her hips, glaring. When she saw that I didn’t intend to back down, she huffed loudly and gave in, snatching the pink gown up and stealing away behind the privacy of a screen. She complained the entire time she got dressed, but I ignored it as I sat at the edge of the bed.
“Have you considered theprince’sreaction?” Winnie asked, coming around the dressing screen so she could see herself in the vanity. She took out her earrings and found a set of pearls to match while I observed, impressed with her figure. “He may disapprove, or worse, he might eat you alive!”
My heart sank. I hadn’t thought of Nicolas at all. “The viscount shall protect me.”
“You’re a fool to think so. If the prince commanded it, Lord Navarro would serve you on a silver platter!”
An unbidden image flashed through my mind: Quinn’s dark eyes as he lowered me onto silk sheets and pinned my arms above my head, all while Nicolas watched from the shadows with a hungry, possessive gaze.
I squeezed my thighs together, shocked by my own imagination. When had I become the sort of person who could envision such scandals? And worse, why did the thought set my soul aflame?
“Don’t tell me your thoughts went where I think they went,” Winnie said, noticing my sudden flush. Her shoulders were entirely bare, and the fabric clung to her curves so much that it might as well have beenabsent. “You’ve gone rather red.”
Thank the gods for that distraction. I stared, biting my lips to withhold a laugh.
“What?”Winnie snapped.
“Heavens, Winnie, you’re positively buxom—like a well-fed partridge,” I replied frankly. “Where have you been hiding those?”
Winnie threw a decorative pillow at my face, groaning with humiliation. “Lady Tharon has been a terrible influence!”
Chapter 14
Laughter rebounded againstthe marble. Animated conversations happened all around us in multiple languages, sometimes switching tongues halfway through a sentence. Between that and the music, the ballroom was a thriving scene that took Winnie and I by surprise as we followed the trail of sound into its depths.
“Did I mishear Lord Costa?” Winnie asked under her breath. We’d been summoned from my guest room only hours after our arrival, though the time passed swiftly with offerings of cheese and wine. “This is no gathering; it’s a gala.”
