“No! No. Uhm.” I touched the end of it, pulling the tail over my chest to inspect it. “Idothink it’s pretty. I think. I’m–Well.”
“Mmhm.”
“Unless you think thedressis too- I don’t know? Tight?” I asked.
We met in my mirror. “You haven’t tried it on since the fitting.”
“No, but I worry.”
“Of course. Youshouldknow, though, these are thenaturalnerves of attending your first real social affair in a royal court,” she said, untwisting my locks. “It’s all very normal given the circumstance, I assure you. I’ve known many ladies who feel such things.”
“I,” I rapped my thumb against my lap. “I suppose you make a sort of sense.”
“Let’s wear the crown tonight,” she said. “It does suit you, after all.”
“…Thank you.”
“Although…” She stopped, finishing the twist.
“What? …What?” I turned around. “You’ve got alook.”
“There’s nolook,”she teased.
“Josie!”
“Are yousureyou wish to know?” she checked. “It’s not exactly proper, and I would only say it to a friend…”
“What improper thoughts are you withholding?” I asked. “Youmusttell me now!”
“Only if you insist,” she said.
“I insist!” I said. “Josie! I’m insisting!”
“I just…” She still considered it. “I suppose the sudden dip in your mood hasnothingto do with a certainLordwe’ve just encountered… Does it?” She waited for a response.
“...What?” I scoffed.“Please.You embarrass yourself.”
“Oh yes, it’s me who’s embarrassed. My mistake,” she said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“Nothing, but I wouldn’t fault you if you were a bit… excited with his appearance here, in your bedchamber,” she emphasized. “That’s all.”
“He delivered my gown,” I said.
“I was there,” she replied.
“I didn’t invite him.”
“Of course not. Although heishandsome,” she said.
“Handsome?”I asked.“Ishe?” I armored my arms to my chest. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Respectfully, Princess, yes, you have,” she said. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“There is nothing tolieabout!” I whined. “If he were handsome, I would say, yes, Jocelyn, you are very correct; Mr. Evergreen is very dashing, isn’t he? See? I am capable, you’ll find.”
“My lady, you ran after him into the hall like a market hound seeking a sale,” she said.
