“At any rate, there is much to admire about the Hadrians. Why, their manner of dress is downright enviable. A lady could go much further in life, were she not restricted to these embroideredplanks.”
She patted her stomacher, a lovely yellow and red that matched the leaves. It did not so much as bend from the impact.
I brightened, taking her by the hands. “I must show you something wonderful.”
Raising a brow, Angharad grinned and followed me back along the path to the palace interior. Quinn, taken by surprise at our sudden departure, dog-eared a page of his book and nearly lost sight of us. “A warning would be courteous!”
I stuck out my tongue, then took Angharad inside. We rushed to my chambers, finding Winnie as we arrived. The handmaidens filed in behind us, then shut the door, leaving the chamber rather crowded.
One of my girls brought over the Hadrian chest, though two of Angharad’s maidens had to assist in lifting it to the center ofthe room. She opened it and stepped back, allowing us our space.
I pulled out the dress I’d worn to the ball, showing it off as Angharad dug through the other silken gowns. “Aren’t they positively debaucherous?”
“Wonderfully so!” Angharad agreed, holding a light blue dress up against herself, one I’d worn on a tour of the seaside gardens. “Goddess, can you imagine?”
I pointed to the dividing screen where my friend might find some privacy. “Go try it on!”
Angharad’s jaw dropped and she hurried off, her handmaidens scrambling after her to assist with her undressing. It was clear by the gasps and giggles that she’d begun to put on the other outfit, and once it was on, she stepped out with little shame for the vulgarity of the cut. Her youthful figure, usually hidden beneath layers of proper court attire, was now on full display. The silk clung to her slim waist and emphasized her long neck.
Winnie put down her feather-duster and came around to my side, taking a seat. She couldn’t withhold a contemptuous sigh.
“Why, it’s positively raunchy,” Angharad commented at her reflection. “Was my husband around many women in such attire?”
“Um…” I replied, unsure of what to say. Luckily, I didn’t have to elaborate; Angharad held up a hand, knowing the answer and its implications.
“Just as well, wait until he gets a gander ofthis,” she said, more confident in her own appearance than even remotely worried about the other women. “Please, my lady, may I borrow it? I intend to stir up trouble.”
“It’s yours,” I answered. “If you like. I found it strangely freeing. If only we could get away with this fashion in our own borders.”
“What do you mean? You’re theprincess!If you wish to dress like this, I wager an army of ladies would follow you into that battle. Myself included,” she added, staring at her line of cleavage and the translucent material.
“Oh, good heavens,” Winnie muttered, getting up to polish some jewelry.
Considering the queen in her hunting clothes, I nodded thoughtfully. I wouldn’t be the first woman to make a bold choiceof dress around here.
“Very well,” I confirmed. “Tomorrow, I shall attend breakfast in Hadrian clothes, if you’ll agree to join me.”
The other ladies of the court respected Angharad, as I’d seen in the Lady’s Chamber. If Angharad led the charge, no one would bat an eye at the changing fashions.
Angharad raised her brow, then went to change back into her original clothes. From behind the screen, she spoke again. “If Trefor lets me leave the bed, then you have my word.”
“Do you hear that, Winnie?” I asked. “We’re going to make a statement!”
“You’re going to freeze, more like.”
“Nonsense! We shall simply make adjustments. A few furs here and there.”
Winnie puffed out her cheeks. Before she could reply, Angharad was dressed once again, clutching the new gown in her arm. She made an exaggeratedly delighted smile. “Ah! I cannot thank you enough for sharing your keepsake. Unfortunately, I must go now—I promised Trefor I would enjoy lunch with him, and now I find myself actually eager to do so.”
“You must truly love your husband,” I mused.
“Ha!” Angharad gripped her sides, shaking her head as she gathered her girls to leave. The door opened and closed around her. “Love,” she said in parting, laughing her way from the room.
I watched her go with a puzzled smile, then turned. “I sense your disapproval, Winnie.”
My handmaidens took their leave with quick, polite excuses. Once we were alone, Winnie faced me.
“There is no way that woman will go through with your little plan,” she warned. “You go out tomorrow in a Hadrian gown and the only thing you’ll earn will be the queen’s disfavor.”
