Basil grimaced. “Lucy, no—”
“Lucy, yes,” she said, handing the book to Esther. “Don’t worry, Basil. It’s just about… dancing.”
Esther unwrapped the brown paper as if it were treasure. “Dancing sounds nice.”
Lucy winked. “Especially the horizontal kind.”
Basil choked. “Lucy!”
“What? It’s educational.”
Esther bit back a laugh. “Lucy, one day you’re going to get us both exiled.”
“Maybe,” Lucy said with a grin. “But first, it’s time for embroidery.”
Esther muttered curses as Lucy ushered her out. The smell of smoke and sugar trailed behind them.
Maybe, Esther thought, as she glanced back at the chaos, she could find a tower to hide in after all. She might even hire a dragon to burn it down.
2
Esther
How to stay composed: first panic, then panic harder, then make a terrible decision with confidence.
“You only stabbed your finger three times today,” Lucy praised with a sympathetic smile. “But what exactly is this supposed to be?”
“A dragon,” Esther said, massaging her aching fingers.
“Looks like a slug,” Lucy hummed. Esther snatched the handkerchief from her judgmental friend with a huff. If she squinted really hard, it was obviously a dragon! Slugs didn't have horns or breathe fire. The orange thread was obviously fire. Lucy was too blind to see the masterpiece before her.
“Dragons are strong and powerful—”
“And majestic, unlike this slug.”
“And offer protection! Which I will give to my brother.” Esther anxiously rubbed the fabric between her fingers, feeling the loose, scratchy thread.
“May this valiant slug offer its slimy protection.”
“Just for that, you’ll be joining me for tea,” Esther said, sticking her tongue out.
Lucy froze mid-step. She turned slowly, eyes wide with dramatic horror. “Esther, please. I beg your forgiveness!”
“You are coming to tea,” Esther said, taking her by the arm.
Lucy placed a hand on her heart. “This is a cruel punishment for your faithful maid, who only told you the truth!”
“It’s just tea,” Esther insisted.
“With the Baroness,” Lucy hissed, while Esther dragged her by the elbow.
They walked into the sunlit sitting room. The Baroness stood waiting, tall and immaculate in dove-gray silk, her expression carved from authority. The table between them was arranged as flawlessly as a military presentation.
She surveyed them with the efficiency of someone taking inventory.
“There you are,” the Baroness said. “Late.”
Esther checked the clock again. “We are early.”
