“I saw your maid near the stairs, so I knew you were awake. I am grateful someone else is.” She set her burden down. “I always rise early now. It can’t be helped. Lying abed becomes uncomfortable.”
Padua casually positioned herself between Eva and the bedchamber door. “What have you there?”
“Three dresses, a spencer, and two pelisses. This red pelisse was purchased in Florence for my sister, who is taller than I am. Not as tall as you, but it will still be easier to alter. This overdress is fairly long, and with some nimble sewing should appear correct if used for the same purpose for you. Then over here are some embellishments, lace and feathers and such, that I pulled off some old clothes that the last duchess wore.”
“They are alllovely,” Padua exclaimed. Loudly. Sheheld up each one, and went into raptures of excitement. “This fabric isperfect.” She twirled around in a little dance, thumping the floorboards. Noisily.
“I had hoped you would be pleased. Your enthusiastic appreciation gives me heart,” Eva said. “Now, slip on this wool so we can see what must be done.”
Padua slid the green wool dress over her chemise. Eva stood back and peered at it. She glanced to the windows and shook her head. “This will never do. We will have to fit it in the bedchamber, where the light is stronger.” She lifted all the fabric, and clutched the sewing basket’s handle.
Padua backed up and positioned herself at the bedchamber door. “Will that not be inconvenient? Pins and such should be in the drawers here, I think.”
“I have my basket,” Eva said. “It contains all that we need.” She heaved all of the fabric onto her left arm, and reached for the door latch with her right.
Padua braced her arm against the jamb, to form a physical barrier. “I would prefer you did not go in there.”
“Why?”
“I made a mess last night. So bad that I did not want my maid to set it to rights, and I have not had the chance yet to straighten it myself.”
Eva laughed. “Do not worry about that with me. I doubt it is too big a mess. What can one woman do in one evening?”
“Still, I would prefer if—”
“Oh, nonsense.” Eva grabbed the latch, turned, and pushed.
Padua felt the door open behind her. She knew Eva could see the whole chamber, even if she remained blocked from crossing the threshold. Eva’s attention focused on Padua, however. She frowned suspiciously, as if their entire exchange had suddenly struck her as odd.
Then Eva’s gaze shifted to the space behind Padua’s shoulder. Her eyes widened.
“You certainly did make a mess, Padua. It will take some doing to put to rights.”
Padua almost fainted with relief. Ives must have heard the conversation and slipped out of the chamber.
She turned to lead the way in. And groaned inwardly.
Ives still slept. He had moved just enough to uncover one finely formed leg, up to the hip. An arm crooked behind his head made his torso very taut.
Padua closed her eyes, mortified.
“Oh, my,” Eva said. “He is sleeping very soundly. If that is his habit after—well,after, he should have left last night.”
Padua could not remember any decision being made about that.
“I suppose those women he normally takes up with are not too particular about such things. They probably sleep until noon, too, and their households would know the arrangement.” Eva slipped past Padua and set her armful of garments down on a chair. She began sorting it out.
Padua inched into the chamber. “Are you going to fit this dress while he is right there? What if he wakes up and sees you?”
“What if he does? I am not naked. He is. If it will embarrass him, he should have thought about that several hours ago.” Eva shook her head. “I do not know what happened to him while we were gone. He was always so sensible, at least when he was not angry.”
“Perhaps I should wake him, so he is not sneaking back to his chambers in dishabille when the entire household is up and about.”
Eva held up a dress and scrutinized it. “That might be wise. Rumor has it Aylesbury has issued some ridiculous edict. It would not do to find out if he is actually serious about it.”
Padua walked over to the side of the bed near Ives. She jostled his shoulder.
His lids rose. He looked over, confused, then smiled. His arm circled her neck and he eased her face down toward his lips.
