“Look at me when I’m talking to you, Miss Flora,” Duchess Wilhelmina said sharply.
I pointed at Olivia’s growing rash. “We need to get her a physician, Your Grace,” I said, hating how my voice wavered.
Samantha squealed. “Oh! That is disgusting.”
Olivia whimpered when she saw the rashes on her arm. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I-I’m so sorry, Your Grace, I didn’t mean to,” she whimpered. Tori gave me an incredulous look from over Olivia’s shaking head.
“What is going on?”
Everyone curtsied again as Queen Cordelia appeared up the path.
“It seems that one of our debutantes has a talent for causing trouble,” the duchess said, giving me a disdainful look.
“She—” Julianna whined.
“Your Majesty,” Tori cut in before Julianna could say anything more. “Julianna tripped and caused Olivia to fall into the bushes.”
Queen Cordelia nodded. “I see,” she said. She gently put her hand on Olivia’s shoulder. “What happened to your arm, my dear?”
Olivia’s eyes welled with fresh tears and she began blubbering. Duchess Wilhelmina looked at her in distaste.
“There is stinging nettle between the hydrangeas, Your Majesty,” I said, toeing the spiky leaves with my slipper. “They’re planted all over. It’s what caused Olivia’s rash.”
Queen Cordelia raised her brows. “Indeed? How odd,” she said. “I’m quite sensitive to stinging nettle myself. Thank you, Miss Amarante. I will ask the gardener to remove them.”
I blushed, surprised that she remembered my name.
Duchess Wilhelmina exhaled. “You are not fit to be in public right now, Miss Sternfeld. Have someone escort you inside.”
Julianna’s jaw dropped.
“S-Sternfeld?” she whispered, her face reddening.
The duchess surveyed the rest of us somewhat scornfully. “You may all go.” She walked off.
I was sure Julianna would’ve shot me a withering look if it weren’t for the queen’s presence.
“There will be a physician sent for you, Miss Olivia,” Queen Cordelia said.
Tori, Genevieve, and I escorted Olivia into the entrance of the south wing where a decrepit physician gave her a jar of ointment and a melted candy stick from his pocket. After gingerly applying the balm on Olivia’s arms and wrapping it in gauze, we emerged from the building only to find that the debutantes had long gone home.
“Good riddance,” I said. “I’ve had enough of the Season already.”
Tori sighed. “Amen to that.”
