“What are you doing here?” I asked.
He paused and crossed his arms. “You didn’t think I would let you go into the lion’s den by yourself, did you?” he said. “What did she want?”
I opened my mouth and closed it again. “Nothing. She warned me not to disrespect Narcissa again,” I said. It was partially true.
He looked like he was going to prod me more.
I sucked in my cheeks. “You should go check on the queen. Make sure she’s getting better.”
A crease appeared between his brows at the mention of his mother. “Right,” he said. He glanced at me again. The firelight from the torches danced in his eyes. “I should go. I’ll have a horse chaise called for you.”
I suddenly wanted to tell him everything. The duchess as good as confessed her crimes. But no doubt he would question what Her Grace held over me. Did I have the courage to tell Ash I was a witch?
But before I could make up my mind, he was gone.
––––––––
IT WAS TRICKY BUSINESSexplaining to the Strongfoots why I had to temporarily move out of their manor and why Genevieve wasn’t coming with me.
“My nannies missed me so much they fell ill. I ought to go visit them.”
Tori had said, “Amarante, I say this because I care about you. What kind of grown woman has nannies?”
I had to explain to her my relationship with Theodora and Rowena, their actual roles in the house, and how I still called them my nannies for old times’ sake. Genevieve offered to come home with me.
“Oh, it’ll only be for a week or so.” I forced myself to sound bright.
In reality I had no idea how long the arrangement would last. One week? A month? Until the end of the Season? Whatever it may be, I had to pack light to go through with my ruse.
I ended up bringing four dresses, under which I smuggled all of Lana’s books, and other essentials. The day before, a hefty package came for me from Captain Greenwood’s manor, full of the gold he promised. I packed that with me too and deflected Tori’s questions. I felt horrible for lying. I almost wanted to jump off the horse chaise as Genevieve and Tori waved goodbye.
It was hardly dawn when I arrived at the east wing of the palace. I was led to the servant’s quarters by a stern-looking matron in charge of the staff who introduced herself as Madam Josephine. She had an incredibly beaky nose and wore a high-necked dress. Right away I didn’t expect her to take well to my pleads of mercy.
“Lady Narcissa will be expecting you in her chambers in half an hour,” the matron said as we walked down a narrow hall.
“So soon?” I said, half-carrying, half-dragging my luggage behind me.
Madam Josephine harrumphed. “That is considered late for a servant. It is the highest honor to serve a noblewoman. Though it is beyond me why the duchess chose you.” She stared as I tried to tug my suitcase out of a divot in the ground. It released gracelessly.
It appeared Madam Josephine wasn’t acquainted with my situation. I didn’t bother to explain.
We eventually reached the end of the narrow hall. She pointed at a decrepit door that had fallen off its top hinges. I had to lift the door by the knob to get it open. And what greeted me inside was not worth the work.
“Your room,” the matron said. She shoved a wad of rough fabric in my arms. “Change quickly. I have other things to attend to after I show you to Lady Narcissa’s chambers.”
What Madam Josephine referred to as my room appeared to be a small abandoned kitchen turned into a bedroom by a group of drunk youngsters yet to find apprenticeships. A dingy cot nestled in the corner with a rickety nightstand at its foot. There was nothing else in the room except for a partially-boarded up brick oven. My jaw went slack. Was this where Narcissa’s previous servant lived? It had to be the ugliest room in the palace.
“What are you standing there gaping for?” Madam Josephine said sharply.
“But Madam, there has to be a mistake. Aren’t I to serve Narcissa?”
She barked a laugh. “Don’t tell me you expected to be her lady’s maid,” she said, her lips peeled back in a sneer. In addition to her beaky nose, she had very horsey teeth. “I was told that you are nothing but her personal scullery maid. You will sweep her floors and wash her dishes and empty her chamber pot.”
“I willwhat?”
My question was ignored. “If you take more breaks than those given to you, Lady Narcissa will personally see to your punishment,” the matron said. “Take it from me, girl. She is not merciful.”
