“I’m looking forward to it.”
I eyed the flat pillows arranged along the headboard.Surely he was used to fuller pillows.“If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”
Edmund raised his brows and leaned back.The mattress creaked some more.“Giselle, there’s no need to be so nervous.”
I sat on the stool.“I’m not nervous,” I said, tapping the surface of the little wooden desk.I craned my neck to peer at the sun.It seemed to be high noon, which was odd, since I swore Maddox and I had left Greenwood Abbey at noon.The time in Witch Village must have gone askew.I watched the sky sullenly.Good heavens, the day was barely over.Just thirteen more until I could leave this place.Thirteen days to keep Edmund entertained while hiding him from as many people as possible.
I startled when a warm hand closed over mine.
“I’m going to have a wonderful time,” Edmund reassured me.He gave my fingers a squeeze before letting go.“Since I have you for the moment, shall we talk business?”
I blinked, my mind still addled from the sensation of his hand on mine.“Business?”
“Yes.About Lady Narcissa’s wedding gown.”Edmund straightened, looking every inch like the respectable businessman he was.“Crown Prince Bennett is choosing her wedding jewels from Blanche de Clare.We never got to discuss the design you have in mind for her dress.”
“Oh, right.”Maddox had interrupted us last time.I relaxed.Dress designs was a topic I could talk about all day.But with sudden clarity, I realized that I no longer had anything for Narcissa’s dress—not since the Mrs.Lewis incident.
“Actually,” I said.“I don’t have a design.”
Edmund raised his brows.“With the wedding only five months away?You certainly like to live dangerously.”
It sounded like a compliment, coming from him.I laughed, feeling another blush coming on.“I’ll work on it and show you what I have in mind within the week.”Or two weeks.I could use the time holed up here to work on the dress.
“Very well,” Edmund said.He paused, squinting at me as if trying to figure something out.“What do you think about being featured in my magazine?”
“You have a magazine?”
Edmund raised a shoulder, as if every child on his block had one.Depending on the block, maybe that was true.“Just another segment of the de Clare empire.My father bequeathed it to me.It’s calledBlanche.Our target demographic is middle to high class ladies.We would feature up and coming designers and of course the latest fashion.We haven’t launched our first issue yet, but I have big plans for it.”
“Wow,” I said, wanting to sound calm amidst my rush of excitement.“It would be my honor.”
“On the contrary, it would be mine.Having a witch designer in my magazine would be rather avant-garde.A show stopper.”
I shifted on the hard seat, growing warm.Maybe I did have a future waiting for me after this tour.I’d have the royal funds from this assignment and a feature in Edmund’s magazine.The publicity would be perfect.But with my current luck, I wasn’t so sure if I’d be prepared.
I deflated a little.“Wouldn’t you rather have someone more established?Like Jeraldine’s Dress Emporium?”
“Ah.”Edmund leaned back and stretched his legs out on the mattress, the heels of his shoes sinking into the quilt.“My father prides himself on discovering Jeraldine and bringing her into the limelight.She does have a shop within the department store, which I presume you noticed?”
I nodded.
“The magazine will naturally advertise for Blanche de Clare.ButBlancheis an entirely separate entity.”Edmund sat forward again and rested his elbows on his knees, a conspiratorial glint in his blue eyes.“And personally, I think the forgotten royal seamstress makes a better story than Jeraldine’s Dress Emporium.”
“Oh,” I said breathlessly.
“I’ll draft up a few interview questions for you,” Edmund said.“If you have a sketch or description of the royal wedding dress, that will be included.”
I paused.“Will this issue come out before the wedding or after?”It wouldn’t be tasteful to reveal Narcissa’s wedding dress to the public before she had a chance to wear it.A few society girls might have the design replicated in an attempt to steal attention away from the new princess.Though, considering her looks, I wasn’t sure if that was even possible.
Edmund mimed locking his mouth and throwing away the key.“After.You have my word that no one else will hear about it from my lips.”
He certainly had lovely lips.
***
IUNPACKED MY OWN THINGSin my room, which was directly beneath Edmund’s.Like the others, it was modest.The walls were covered in a cheery yellow wallpaper that matched the floral bed sheets.Just as I finished putting my clothing into the trunk at the foot of the bed, the floorboards near the door creaked.
“What were you doing up there for so long?”
