“Do you know how many stores Lisca and Selona took her to during her first week in Tryn?” Khiran asked.
“I take it I don’t want to know the number?”
Khiran chuckled. “You really don’t. It’s part of how they acclimate to a different country, I guess. My guess is that Reyn is also ordering new clothes. Most everyone outside of Moial considers the fashions there to be substandard.”
The teal gown Lady Reyn had worn was not substandard. Velario didn’t pay close enough attention to women’s fashion to know if it was the latest style, but he had trouble imagining anyone finding fault with it. Especially when Lady Reyn wore it.
Velario never would have thought he’d be discussing women’s fashions with Khiran today. But he was curious now. “What is wrong with Moialan gowns?”
Khiran snorted. “To hear Lisca tell it, they are insipid and have too many ruffles. Also, women in Moial only wear white or very pale colors. It makes for very boring ballrooms; I can tell you that much.”
“Lady Reyn was certainly not wearing white.”
Khiran raised a single brow. “You met her already?”
“She walked into the room while I was reminding Selona of her responsibilities.” Velario shook his head. “I’ll tell you right now, that was not a woman who needed new clothes or time to acclimate to her surroundings.”
“Well, she traveled with Merine to Daalj recently. But that doesn’t mean she won’t want to see what the shops of Tryn have to offer. Give it another day or two. Just because you can’t remember what it means to have a life outside of the bank doesn’t mean Selona wants to be entombed in one. I’m sure she’ll get back to work as Reyn settles in and makes new acquaintances in the city.”
Velario hoped Khiran was right. With everything else going on, he could not afford for Selona to shirk her responsibilities. He had given her the opportunity to work at the bank because she wanted a job, but didn’t want her father looking over her shoulder the way he would if she worked for Family Ferrini. However, that was before the present crisis hit. She had to pull her weight so he could focus on critical matters.
