“Are you going to make me your slave forever?” I said, raising my voice. “Aren’t you tired of having a traitor as a mother?”
Narcissa slammed her hand on the table, rattling the silverware. “I’d rather my mother be a traitor than a witch,” she spat. The venom in her words stung me and I stumbled back. She downed the last of her wine. “Do as I say or everyone will know what a monster you are.”
“The only monster here is you,” I said.
I barely had time to react before Narcissa slapped me hard across the face.
“Say that again,” she hissed.
Karen came back in at that moment. “The bath is ready, milady,” she said, her voice strained.
Narcissa stepped back. Her expression was once again a blank canvas. “Clean yourself,” she said, turning her back to me. “Tomorrow you will look like royalty.”
25
The gentlemen weregawking at me. It was the second most uncomfortable thing at the moment, the first being the scandalously tight gown and itchy lace gloves Narcissa lent me. My scalp ached from Karen’s rough combing.
As promised, I entered the palace parlor with Narcissa. My arms were tucked behind me. The black lace did wonders in concealing the scratches and calluses that I had acquired, but I felt as though the scrutiny of the room could cut through fabric.
I kept my head down as I followed Narcissa to the card tables where the duchess was standing with a few older women. They left when we approached.
“Narcissa. You brought her.”
I curtsied, though paying respects to Duchess Wilhelmina was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Yes, Mother.” Narcissa’s face was unreadable.
The duchess smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Miss Flora, I do hope you enjoy tonight’s festivities. I’m afraid it will be a while before you get a chance to do so again.”
To others it may have appeared the duchess was speaking of the next Season event, which wasn’t for another ten days, but I figured her real meaning. I wouldn’t be released from my punishment any time soon.
“I will try to relish it, Your Grace,” I said stiffly.
“Good.” Duchess Wilhelmina glided away and gave her daughter a look I couldn’t decipher.
A woman from the card table began conversing with Narcissa, which gave me the freedom to look about the room. I recognized Tori in the gaggle of debutantes by the sofas. Genevieve was with her and they appeared to be distracted, no doubt wondering where I was.
