Erica pressed her hand to the window frame. “What is the rope for?” she asked.
The twins exchanged a look that was half secret, half triumph.
“Ye will see,” Bettie said, sounding delighted.
Erica tilted her head. “I am starting to hate those words.”
“Ye will see,” Katie echoed, grinning.
“Ye two were born for plots,” Erica said. She let the curtain fall back into place and turned to the bed. “If ye drag me from sleep, I need a gown that willnae tear if Itrain.”
They nodded in wise agreement.
Bettie went straight to the chest and rooted with expert hands. “This one,” she declared, holding up a sturdy dress the color of the bright blue sky.
“Good,” Erica said. “Help me with the laces.”
They worked quickly, small fingers sure and eager. Erica tied a plain ribbon at the nape of her neck and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Shoes,” she said.
Katie bolted to the door and returned with slippers. “Leah left these by the doorway,” she reported.
“Of course she did,” Erica said. “She kens everything before I do.”
“Leah kens all,” Bettie said, solemn as a prayer.
“Aye,” Erica said, amused. “I am learning that.”
When they were done, the twins stepped back and looked her over as if they were a council.
Bettie lifted her chin. “Ye look like ye can run.”
“As surprising as that may come to a lot of people, I can,” Erica said. “But I would rather walk.”
“Ye can walk fast,” Katie said. “There is food there,” she added, to sweeten duty.
“Food,” Erica repeated. “Now I am interested.”
Bettie clasped her hand, and Katie took the other.
“Quiet now,” Bettie whispered. “We are sneaking.”
“We are going to the yard,” Erica reminded them, trying to keep her mouth straight. “Sneaking seems grand for two flights of stairs.”
“It makes it better,” Katie said. “And we daenae want to meet the nurse yet. She will make us fix our hair again.”
“Truly a tragedy.” Erica tutted.
They tiptoed to the door, and Erica lifted the lock. The corridor lay calm, morning light drifting along the floor in low bars. The twins moved with exaggerated stealth, knees high and feet soft. Erica followed because not following would have broken the game.
On the stairs, they paused, listening for adult feet that might stop their fun. None came. They crept down and slipped past the last turn that led to the hall.
A maid crossed at the bottom with a basket on her arm. She saw them and did not blink at the sight of Erica being marched like a captive queen. She only smiled and dipped her head.
“Training day,” Katie whispered as they passed by.
“Aye, me Lady,” the maid whispered back. “Mind yer laces.”
