Veronica shakes her head ever so slightly. I don't know what it is she wants me to keep to myself, just that it's whatever I'm thinking.
"I enjoyed your last visit, Your Grace. The hedges in the maze have fully grown this time, perhaps I might take you for a turn about it while you're with us," Veronica says.
"That would be most agreeable."
I look between the two women, trying to work out exactly what's going on. I think I know from things that Veronica has told me about certain things, but there's every chance that I could be wrong.
"If you would like to follow us through to the parlour, we have refreshments set up for you," I say, remembering that I have a role to play and I'm expected to do it perfectly. As much as I wish this hadn't been put upon me, I don't want to let anyone down. Nor do I wish for Mama to come to my room later to give me a lecture on all of the things I've done wrong.
I gesture for them to follow us, leaning closer to my sister. "What did you do with the Duchesse last time she visited?"
"What do you think," Veronica murmurs.
I gasp. "I am right."
"You're growing up, Evie."
"I'm older than you."
She simply smiles and then steps back to speak with the Duchesse. She should have said something to Mama when she knew who was coming, it could have saved me a lot of trouble. If the two of them are going to spend the afternoon flirting and speaking without me, then I may as well not be here.
The parlour is already laid out with a table of delicacies, including some of the tea newly arrived from Shengda, and several different pastries that Nate and Camille must have made.
"This is a wonderful display, Your Highness," the Comte says as he enters the room.
I smile. "I hope you enjoy it. Our pastry chef spent some time studying in Gaullesse. He has a great talent."
"If they taste as good as they look, then I am sure that is true," he responds, his Gaullessian accent strong but not obscuring his words. "And I look forward to seeing what has been made for the welcome feast."
"I'm sure you'll be pleased with the menu, My Lord," I respond, hoping that I'm not saying something out of turn. But Veronica is too caught up in her conversation with the Duchesse to be much help. I'm not sure whether I should be glad that she's entertaining for her, or horrified that I've been left on my own.
I suppose I'll find out soon enough.
Chapter 17
The loud noise of the feasting hall is painful to my ears, especially when there are several members of the court who could do with lessons on how to eat more quietly. But with dessert about to arrive, it's nearly over, and then I can go down to the kitchens to tell Nate how things have gone, and I'm looking forward to that, especially when I already have so many compliments I can give him from the Comte d'Orrivier about his pastries after the delegation had just arrived.
The servants clear away the plates from the previous course, and I look around, ready for the spectacle when the dessert towers come out. Several of them have miniature fireworks attached to them, though I've been assured that they're stationary and won't cause any fires.
There are exclamations of excitement around the room, especially when three large croquembouches enter, and I have to admit that I'm a little starstruck by them myself. Profiteroles aren't my favourite, but I have to admire the way they've been stuck together and made into magnificent structures.
Once it's all been served, the happy chatter of people admiring everything fills the air.
"What am I going to like?" Veronica asks me.
"You should like it all," I respond. "But I think you'll be particularly fond of the tarte tatin, it's caramelised apples, and I know you love those." I point out the dish in question while helping myself to one of the tarte au citron. It's not necessarily my preference, but after I went to such effort to get lemons at the feast, it only feels right that I eat one.
"I do," Veronica says, adding a slice to the plate. "I also really loved those chocolates the kitchens sent up the other day. What were they?"
"Raspberry truffles. I asked Nate if we could make them for you," I say.
She raises an eyebrow. "Why didn't you say so?"
"I am saying so." I dig my fork through the crisp buttery pastry and take a bite of the lemon tart. It's so zingy that it takes me by surprise for a moment, but then the sweetness sets in, and I admit that I see what the fuss is about.
"Well, thank you. But I don't really know why you specifically made them for me."
"You've been very helpful. I wanted something nice for you," I say before eating more of my tart.
