“And why?”
“To be able to kick your arse and those of all these arrogant snobs.”
“Here’s the duchess I know!” After all, we’re having a diplomatic truce, and her answers make me smile.
“Seriously! You wouldn’t last fifteen minutes in my world. I’d love to see you catch the Tube in the rush hour without being crushed by the crowd, or survive the first day of the sales!”
“But we’re not in your world,” I point out.
“Exactly, I’m in yours. I won’t only survive, I will show you that I can do even better than people who were born to it.”
“These are delusions of grandeur.”
“Maybe, you’re an expert, aren’t you? Are you afraid that someone might steal your spotlight?”
“Not really, no.” For some unknown reason, I feel like whispering in her ear: “I admit you’re good, but you still have a lot to learn.”
“You haven’t said anything yet,” she reproaches me.
“About what?”
“About me! My look! After months of criticism and reproach, I polish myself up like Harrods at Christmas and all you do is ask me why I did it? No comments?”
“Maybe you didn’t realise, but I did,” I object.
“What would that be?”
“When you entered the hall…”
“What happened?”
“Nothing,” I say, peacefully.
“What do you mean nothing?” She frowns.
“For the first time since you and I have been together in public, nothing happened at all.”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Let me explain: every time you entered a room, you drew all the attention to yourself. Don’t bother being flattered, it was not a good thing. Everyone turned to look at you, and was disturbed by your odd appearance. Tonight, for the first time, you went unnoticed. Nobody turned towards the staircase looking at you as you look at a gang of robbers.”
Jemma looks away, lowering her head almost completely.
“Hey, don’t be disappointed. That means your makeover was successful.”
“If you say so,” Jemma doesn’t look too enthusiastic about my explanation.
“I do. Besides, since I feel very honest tonight, I’ll tell you two more things: I truly appreciate your effort, even though it took you some time. Whoever helped you, did a great job and you look great. I must thank you.”
“Three, then.”
“What?”
“You said three things, not two: you appreciate my effort, I’m beautiful, and ‘thank you’.”
“I didn’t say you’re beautiful. I said you look great.”
“You’re totally unable to give any compliments, aren’t you?”
