“My beloved Tanadelle,” he says, taking my hand and bowing over it to bestow upon my unwilling knuckles a dry kiss, “I would never kiss a woman while in such a state of deshabille. My trunks are being unloaded at that exquisite little inn as we speak; once I’ve eaten and bathed, I shall present myself to youproperly.” He pulls me against his chest, wraps his arms around me, and closes his eyes. “I have waited so long for this moment, so many years,” he says, dreamily. “I would never bring shame upon it by appearing before you, heart extended in my hand, freedom upon my lips, in only my second-best riding costume.”
I pat him on the chest and then begin extracting myself, gently, from his embrace. “Of course not, Yenny.”
“I knew you’d understand,” he says, his eyes shining as he looks down upon me. “Await me at the door; I shall return after luncheon!”
And, in a swirl of rich velvet, he turns about on his heel and strides out of the shop.
I collapse against the desk.At least no one was here to see that, I reassure myself. A small mercy, given what a show he clearly intends to put on during his next visit.
I gaze about the room. There’s not much space for onlookers, and Yenal tends to enjoy a retinue. Perhaps, if I leave the ground floor as cluttered and untidy as I can, it’ll keep some of the gawkers away.
I find myself uncharacteristically jittery for the rest of the afternoon. The question, of course, is when Yenal will reappear, and with how many other people. Theotherquestion, which I try not to ask, is where the pirate is. Surely he knows by now that another prince has shown up; I’d have expected him to drop by and find himself a prime seat for the show hours ago. It’s not that I necessarilywanthim here, but I seem to have become accustomed to it. Perhaps, then, Idowant him here. But that hardly bears thinking about.
It’s always possible he broke his curse somehow, and has left town for good. Or simply moved on; surely Greater Pepperidge, for example, is more interesting for a pirate than Little Pepperidge, and not that much closer to any large bodies of water. Nevertheless, I spend the afternoon in a state of high agitation. I have no customers to distract me.
After a great deal of deliberation, I opt not to move anything around on the ground floor to make more room—for onlookers, retinue, or anyone or anything else that might show up to see whatever it is that Yen has planned. My fervent hope is that the cluttered floor and overflowing shelves will keep gawkers to a minimum.
I know my hopes are all for naught when people start filling the street outside at about midafternoon. Just the time I’d been expecting the next stage in Yenny’s plan, whatever it is—that’d given him ample time to bathe, change, eat a lavish lunch, change again, and finalize whatever baroque preparations he’s working up.
It’s when Sasha saunters in, looking pleased, that I know I’m in real trouble.
“So,” she says, joining me behind the desk to watch so-called customers mill about without actually buying anything.
“So,” I say, keeping my voice neutral.
“Another prince,” she says, conversationally.
“Apparently,” I say.
“Quite a memorable one,” she says.
“Rather,” I agree.
“Fond of velvet.”
“So I’ve noticed.”
She turns and grins at me, showing all forty-two of her sharp teeth. “He seemsdelightful, Tandy.”
I groan and drop my forehead to the desk.
“Perfect for you,” she continues. “Really one of the people.”
“How often did he use that phrase?” I mutter, still staring at my forearms.
“Only twice that I heard, but I was only there long enough to eat a pie,” she says. “You are so screwed. The pirate show up yet?”
“No, thank the great spined sea serpent,” I say.
“The great spinedseaserpent, eh?” she repeats, her voice a little insinuating.
“You hush.”
“I mean, I’m notsayinganything, just repeating whatyousaid.”
“It’s a common curse!”
“If you’re a sailor.”
