Page 17 of A Cake of Cherries and Charm

Rosie gasped. “Several days? The queen said the seamstress would take weeks to months!”

“Well,” Martha said, still taking Snow’s measurements, “some of them will take longer. Most of these are old gowns of mine, you see. But if she simply takes them in or lets them out, adds a few flourishes, and hems them a bit, they’ll be finished much faster, I can assure you!” She paused. “Unless you mind second-hand dresses?”

Rosie didn’t mind this in the least.

“Do most women mind so much?” Snow asked in wonder.

“The nobility does,” Natalie said, sounding unimpressed. “Most of them wouldn’t admit to wearing someone else’s dress if it killed them.” She giggled. “But you have no idea how many of them secretly do it and then swear it was made just for them.”

“Well… Thank you!” Rosie said. It was all she could think to say.

“If we’re careful, the court snipes will be none the wiser,” Natalie said with a mischievous grin. “Now, as Martha measures, we’d better start discussing court politics so the next time you go out to supper, you’ll be better prepared to choose who you wish to offend and when, rather than doing it by accident.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen you at court,” Rosie said carefully. “Have you been there, and perhaps I’ve missed you?”

Natalie shuddered and rolled her eyes. “Oh, no, thank heavens. I grew up here, but I got married last year, and my dear husband whisked me away to his home in the country. Although, we’re currently residing with his sister in the city. I come only when I’m summoned by my aunt. Or in this case, my cousin.”

“Frederick summoned you?” Snow asked.

“No, Jonathan. He sent a messenger to my husband’s sister's house this morning. Now, I’m going to give you everyone’s name and a bit of their history, as well as their title and rank in court. We’ll start with my aunt, the queen.”

Tutor.

This was Jonathan’s court tutor, Rosie realized, the one he had wished would come to teach her. It must also have been his doing to have his cousin help prepare them for the court by giving them clothes, so they weren’t limited to the queen’s castoffs. And with her revelation came relief.

Rosie already liked Natalie. The woman’s disdain for the court was refreshing. And based on her commentary, she seemed to be a discerning and rather unambitious figure. She wasn’t vying for the favor of the queen, nor was she competing with other nobles to see who could peacock the best before the king. Her dark hair was neatly pinned up on her head in a fashionable yet practical braid, and likewise, her gown, though graceful, was one she could easily walk in. It also lacked the gaudy gems and ribbons so many of the women wore.

Of course, Rosie couldn’t help feeling shame as well. Yes, the prince’s attitude and tone two nights before had been curt and rather rude. But now she could see his intentions. After witnessing her distress the prior two nights in court, he had been trying to help Rosie and her sister. This was no grand show of favoritism that would put her out even more with the ladies of the court, nor was it an attempt to trumpet his good intentions for praise.

The truth of it was that she had judged him too harshly, and now she found herself very much regretting the cold way she had spoken to him the night before.

His efforts to help them went even beyond the gowns and his cousin’s assistance, however. For not long after the seamstress had finished taking Rosie’s measurements, a jeweler arrived to measure Snow’s neckline.

“But… what for?” Snow asked in astonishment.

“The princes’ fairy godmother requests it in order to make you a necklace of protection against trolls,” the jeweler said. “She will help me craft the necklace in time for the wedding.”

“Against… trolls?” Snow stuttered. But Rosie’s heart was full to bursting with thankfulness, and she had to wipe a tear away as Snow turned to her with a look of alarm.

“I’ll tell you once we’re done with our lesson,” Rosie promised her. And she determined then and there that she would find a way to thank him.

Chapter

Eight

As soon as Natalie was finished with their lesson for the day–though she promised she would be back in the following days for more–Rosie followed her out into the hall to ask her if it was indeed Prince Jonathan who had requested her help.

“It was,” Natalie said with a smile.

“I shall have to thank him then,” Rosie said, feeling herself blush. “I’m afraid… I’m afraid I wasn’t very civil to him the last time we spoke.”

But to her surprise, Natalie only broke into a laugh. “He tends to have that effect on people. He always means well, but sometimes my cousin forgets the definition of the word tact.”

“I understand that deficiency all too well,” Rosie said with a slight grimace. “Do you know where I could find him to thank him?”

“Oh, he won’t want to be thanked.” Natalie waved dismissively. “Besides, he left this morning and won’t be back for several days. My uncle sent him on a diplomatic trip to one of our neighboring kingdoms. Thornhope, I think, to meet Lady Sandra’s husband.” Natalie delicately shuddered, and Rosie couldn’t help but laugh as well.

After Natalie’s departure, Rosie found that she felt much better. Natalie was extremely knowledgeable on all the court politics. She’d even included the major past and current court scandals.