Or his grandmother.
Or Dale.
In fact, Elaine was probably the only person in the castle not hoping for a private audience with the King of Montaigne. Why had she even bothered to come if she found him so unappealing?
Perhaps her family had pushed her into coming. Still, it was rather unflattering to have someone who was supposed to be interested in you be so completely uninterested in you.
Gustave heard footsteps, peered around the corner, and saw Doctor Batiste walking down the hallway. Gustave hurried towards him.
“How is she?”
“Oh! Hello, Your Majesty.”
The doctor kept walking. Gustave strode after him.
“Lady Mer. Was she hurt?”
“Your Majesty realizes I am supposed to keep the care of patients confidential?”
“She’s my guest. I just want to make sure she wasn’t seriously injured in the accident.”
Doctor Batiste gave him a suspicious look, then sighed.
“Lady Mer is well except for a few minor bruises. She was very lucky.”
“What about her feet? I’ve noticed her limping sometimes. Perhaps-”
“Her feet are fine, Your Majesty. Please excuse me. I have other patients to attend to.”
The doctor bowed and hurried away. Gustave watched him go. Apparently he had been wrong. There were two people in the castle not eager to speak with him.
“Your Majesty?”
Gustave whirled around and relaxed when he saw it was a maid. He opened his mouth to dismiss her, then remembered his theory that perhaps the woman who rescued him worked in the castle. For all he knew, it was this woman. Someone always nearby but practically invisible. Gustave looked at the maid again, actually seeing her this time. She was a pretty sort of girl with dark hair and enormous brown eyes.
Blue eyes. He remembered blue eyes from that day at the beach.
Or was he thinking of the sky?
The maid shifted nervously, unsure what to do as he stared at her. Gustave shook himself out of his memories.
“My apologies. Did you need something?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but the royal tailor needs to see you. There was an accident, and your suit for the gala was destroyed. He has selected another one, but it will need to be altered before tomorrow.”
“An accident?”
Gustave didn’t mean to sound harsh, but that was suspicious. The sewing staff in the castle were too careful to allow clothing to be destroyed by accident.
The maid swallowed and curtsied again.
“A bottle of ink spilled on it. I’m afraid it’s beyond repair.”
“I have duties to attend to. Guests are arriving today. Surely they can use the measurements from the last suit.”
Not that he particularly wanted to fulfill his duties, but greeting royal guests would be better than being fit for a suit.
“Dowager Queen Bernadine said she would be happy to greet your guests and offer your apologies to them while you are with the tailors.”
Oh, so his grandmother had a hand in this.
There was no escaping then. What was she up to?
Gustave hurried to the tailoring room and looked around it suspiciously as he entered. A team of tailors bustled around an old-fashioned blue suit spread over a table.
“What is that?”
“Your grandfather’s suit, Sire. We’re remaking it for you to replace the damaged one.”
“This isn’t a costume ball.”
“Of course not, Your Majesty. That’s why we’re remaking it to suit modern tastes. Dowager Queen Bernadine thought this would be a nice way to honor your grandfather’s legacy.”
Gustave sighed. If his grandmother had decided he should wear this suit to the gala, there was little hope of changing her mind.
And apparently she had connections in the sewing room.
“I could wear one of my other suits. They’re already modern.”
The tailors looked at him as if that was the most ridiculous suggestion they had ever heard.
Gustave gave up and tried not to look impatient while they helped him into the suit and discussed how to best alter it. At least the fabric was nice. Light blue silk with embroidered borders of waves and starfish.
He hoped Lady Mer would like it. Maybe it would remind her of the sea.
Lady Mer.
Was she truly uninjured? Doctor Batiste had seemed sure of it, but Gustave couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Sometimes her eyes looked so pained.
Probably because he kept making a mess of things. Accidentally insulting her and kissing her and being completely unhelpful.
He needed to do something nice for her. Apologize somehow.
“Do we have any seashells in the castle?” Gustave asked.
“Your Majesty?”
“I thought they might make good decorations. I- there’s someone I know who likes them.”
The tailor grinned knowingly.
“Flowers would be a more typical gift for a lady, Your Majesty. I hear Marquis Corbeau has ordered some rare lilies. Perhaps you could borrow a few.”
“No, that’s not it. I-”
Gustave looked to the ceiling to hide the flush creeping over his face. The last thing he needed was for rumors to spread that he was attached to someone. And he definitely didn’t need Marquis Corbeau to hear those rumors.
Perhaps the tailors were right. Seashells were a stupid gift. They wouldn’t help Lady Mer’s injury or erase the fact that Gustave had kissed her at a completely inappropriate time.
Or that she had kissed him back.
Blast it all.
35
Fiora pushed open the door to the queen’s sewing room without knocking, then silently scolded herself for doing so. A proper lady would knock. She needed to do better.
Kara and Lady Anabelle blinked at her as Fiora limped across the room and took a seat. Elaine was too engrossed in her book to notice.
Dowager Queen Bernadine’s chair was empty, as was Princess Collette’s. Fiora cast a questioning glance at Kara.
“They left to greet arriving guests. They should return shortly.”
Kara turned her attention back to her knitting. She had finished the heel on the sock and was working her way up the ankle. Fiora watched her for a moment. Kara’s needles clicked together with quiet efficiency.
Knitting wasn’t one of the skills required for the Princess Test, so Fiora had never learned. Watching Kara, she wished she had. Perhaps she could have knit seaweed into clothing for herself instead of searching shipwrecks for fabric.
Kara looked up and gave Fiora a small smile. Fiora returned it with a scowl and pulled out the basket under her seat. She selected a dark red thread to add shading to the rose and began to sew.
Her breathing eased a little as she stabbed the fabric, stitching in a steady rhythm that calmed her racing thoughts.
“I see you finally found some suitable shoes,” Lady Annabelle said.
Her own sewing project sat on her lap. Apparently she had only been working on it to impress Dowager Queen Bernadine, because she made no pretense of being interested in it now.
Fiora ignored the comment and stabbed her needle through the fabric again.
“And you even found a dress that matches your ring. I suppose when you only have one accessory, you must plan everything else around it. I would love to hear the story of where you managed to obtain a pearl ring when you can’t even afford clothes. Won’t you tell me?”
Fiora looked up just long enough to glare at Lady Annabelle, then stabbed her fabric again, pretending it was Lady Annabelle’s face. That made the sewing even more stress relieving than normal. Her feet ached, and her resolve to be a proper lady was quickly fading. No one that mattered was here to notice, anyway.
Lady Annabelle took Fiora’s frustration as encouragement.
“But of course you can’t tell me, can you? That is a shame. Especially when King Gustave is looking
for a wife who can sing. Fortunately, I’ve taken voice lessons for many years. Marquis Corbeau asked me to sing for everyone as entertainment after dinner. It will be a special treat for the gala guests who have arrived early.”
“Stop it, Annabelle,” Kara said. “You’re making a fool of yourself.”
“No, I’m making an effort. Anyone would think you don’t care at all about King Gustave. You’ve hardly said a word to him the whole time you’ve been here. I’m the only one who has tried to engage him in conversation. Apparently I’m also the only one who is intelligent enough to question this woman’s strange appearance and suspicious motivations.”
“Annabelle! Lady Mer isn’t suspicious!”
Kara set down her knitting and looked from Annabelle to Fiora in distress.
“It’s Lady Annabelle. And is no one curious why she was in the library in the middle of the night in the first place?”
Kara and Lady Annabelle turned to Fiora. She shrugged.
“None of your business.”
Of course they didn’t understand the signs, but Fiora couldn’t keep from replying any longer. Lady Annabelle’s smile widened.
“Isn’t it strange that she was rummaging through the gifts at night? Through the most valuable objects in the castle outside the treasury?”
Fiora desperately wanted to make a comment about the painting of Lady Annabelle. She wished Gustave was here so she could sign it to him. He would fight back laughter, trying to maintain his composure, but his eyes would crinkle in amusement.
“And then the pile of gifts fell, ruining the carefully organized stacks so no one would notice that anything was missing.”
Kara gasped.
“The earthquake knocked them over. You shouldn’t accuse people without proof!”
“Idiot,” Elaine signed.
She had been reading her book and hadn’t seemed to be paying attention to the conversation, so her response was a surprise. Fiora choked back laughter.
“You speak sign language?” she asked.
Elaine tucked the book into a hidden pocket in her skirt and shrugged.
“A little.”
Then she winked at Fiora and waved her hands in an animated manner, signing nonsense while casting significant glances at Lady Annabelle.
“Stop it,” Lady Annabelle said. “You shouldn’t say things not everyone can understand.”
“There go any hopes of intelligent conversation, then,” Fiora signed.
Elaine shook her head a little to show she didn’t understand, then laughed loudly as if she did. Kara looked from Elaine to Fiora, a small smile forming on her lips. Then she set down her knitting, timidly raised her hands, and began to sign the alphabet.
Fiora covered her hands with her mouth to hide her smile. She hadn’t expected Kara to have that kind of spunk.
“I demand that you stop,” Lady Annabelle said. “This behavior is most improper.”
“T-h-a-n-k-s.”
Fiora spelled the word out, hoping that Kara and Elaine would understand. They both nodded and grinned at her.
The door opened, and Princess Collette burst into the room.
“Oh, Lady Mer! I thought you were resting!”
“I couldn’t sleep and thought some sewing would relax me.”
“Please let the servants know if you need anything. I wish I could stay and sew with you all, but I have to review the budget with Marchioness Rouge before lunch. I just came to retrieve my notes.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Kara asked. “I feel strange sitting idle while you are so busy.”
“I’m afraid not. Just make sure you’re rested for the reception tonight so you can help me entertain our guests. If everyone arrives on time, we’ll have several princes and princesses in attendance.”
Lady Annabelle brightened at the mention of princes.
“I’m going to sing for everyone’s entertainment. Marquis Corbeau asked me to.”
The tiniest flicker of annoyance flashed across Collette’s face. Then she gathered her composure and smiled.
“I’m sure that will be lovely, Lady Annabelle. Please excuse me. I’ll see you all at lunch.”
Collette grabbed some papers from a table, curtsied, and hurried from the room.
“I wonder which countries have sent princes?” Lady Annabelle said.
Kara shrugged, and Elaine returned to reading her book. Fiora focused on sewing, adding dark red stitches to her rose until it began to resemble a real flower more than a mere outline.
“I’ve never met any foreign princes,” Lady Annabelle said. “I’ve been invited to receptions for them before, but Father thought it best I not meet them in case I ever needed to participate in a Princess Test. Once Princess Collette is married, I’ll be the most eligible noblewoman in Montaigne.”
Fiora rolled her eyes. Lady Annabelle spoke as if she was guaranteed to win once she had the chance to participate in a Princess Test.
She had no idea.
And she wouldn’t get very far with such terrible embroidery skills.
Fiora wished she could relay the comment to Gustave. But he wasn’t here and saying such a thing would give away the fact that she was familiar with Princess Tests. Best to keep such knowledge to herself.
So she focused on her sewing, ignoring Lady Annabelle’s ramblings until a servant came to fetch them for lunch.
The ladies moved slowly through the hallway, but it was still too fast for Fiora to walk comfortably in her shoes. Pain seared the bottom of her feet with each step she took.
“Lady Mer, are you well? Should I fetch the doctor?” Kara said.
Fiora scowled at her, angry that she hadn’t been able to hide the pain well enough. Kara swallowed and looked away.
“I think we should hurry,” Lady Annabelle said with a nasty gleam in her eyes. “We don’t want to be late for lunch.”
“But Lady Mer-”
Fiora gritted her teeth and forced herself to walk faster. She passed Lady Annabelle and led the way down the hall.
Being proper had never been this difficult. She wanted to tear the shoes off her feet and throw them out a window.
But she couldn’t. She needed to prove she was worthy of a king’s affection, and she only had a day and a half to do it.
A footman showed them into the dining room and seated them when they arrived. Dowager Queen Bernadine and Thomas sat at the head of the table. Marquis Corbeau, Marchioness Rouge, Princess Collette, Captain Whist, and Dale the merchant occupied the rest of the chairs. Gustave’s seat was empty.
Marquis Corbeau scowled when he saw Fiora.
“I didn’t expect to see you here. Doctor Batiste said you would need rest.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
The marquis looked to Thomas for a translation. The interpreter swallowed.
“Lady Mer said she feels perfectly well,” Dowager Queen Bernadine said.
Fiora grinned, then remembered she was supposed to be acting like a proper lady. She smoothed her features into what she hoped was a serene expression.
“You may begin serving lunch,” Dowager Queen Bernadine said to the staff. “Gustave had to have his suit altered at the last minute. I expect he’ll be late.”
The waiters nodded.
“I would like to talk to you later,” Dowager Queen Bernadine signed to Fiora. “We can do it while you’re being fitted for your ball gown.”
Fiora blinked.
“I already have gowns-”
“You have a few spare dresses prepared on short notice. Nothing suitable for the gala.”
Dowager Queen Bernadine’s expression said she would not take no for an answer, so Fiora nodded and turned her attention to her soup. A proper lady wouldn’t argue with her hostess.
Besides, a better gown might help her catch Gustave’s notice.
The lunch was awkward without him. She wanted to tease him about the soup. To dare him to make a comment on it to see how much Lady Annabelle would gu
sh.
Instead, she sat with perfect posture and studied everyone around the table from the corner of her eye.
Elaine looked bored. She smiled when she caught Fiora’s gaze then turned back to her food. Kara kept glancing nervously at the door. Wondering when Gustave would arrive?
“Has there been any signs of tidal waves, Captain?” Marchioness Rouge asked. “I know the earthquake puts us at risk.”
“Nothing large enough to be dangerous,” Captain Whist said. “I think we’re clear.”
Dale sighed.
“I had hoped a tidal wave might wash some of my goods ashore.”
He picked up his fork and stared mournfully at it.
“Because a flood is no cause for concern if a shipment of silverware can be reclaimed,” Dowager Queen Bernadine said.
The merchant flushed.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. Of course I did not mean it that way. I am glad that those living near the shore are safe from disaster.”
He looked ready to launch into another lament over his lost cargo. Collette interrupted before he could expound on his woes.
“Marchioness Rouge and I reevaluated the budget today.”
“Did you?” Marquis Corbeau said. “I would be happy to offer any advice if needed.”
“It is not needed,” Marchioness Rouge said. “The princess has quite a head for numbers. She found several places where efficiency could be improved.”
“Oh. Wonderful.”
Marquis Corbeau did not sound enthusiastic.
“I thought we could use the surplus to help merchants affected by the kraken attacks,” Collette said. “It isn’t as if we need to spend the money on more jewels or parties.”
Marquis Corbeau sniffed, as if to say this was exactly what surplus money in a royal budget should be spent on. Collette continued with a defensive edge to her voice.
“It would help Montaigne’s economy to have the shipping routes active again. I know we normally don’t assist private citizens, but this is a special case. If we all work together, we will rebuild faster. Of course the plan would need council approval. And we will need to see what Gustave thinks.”
She looked around the table as if realizing for the first time that she was speaking out loud. Everyone stared at her, surprised by the passion in her speech as much as her ideas.
Princess of Mermaids Page 21
