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I swear, I never moved so fast in my life. I became an Olympic hurdler, clearing chairs, hurdling over luggage, anything to keep her away from my hair with those scissors.
“Whoa, there.” I raised my palm up like a stop sign. “What are you doing with those?”
Her eyes lit up. “I saw a picture in a fashion magazine. She had a pixie cut and I thought that would look cute tonight.”
The poor soul didn’t even register why I was freaking out. “Okay, but two things.” I gripped the ends of my shoulder-length brunette hair. “First, my hair is curly and pixie cuts don’t work with these locks, trust me, I’ve tried. Second,” I really didn’t think I needed another point, but it was worth saying, “when I said do my hair, I meant, maybe a pretty braid or an updo. Not lopping off eight inches. Because, third,“ this last point felt self-explanatory but she hadn’t put the scissors down yet, “while hair grows, it doesn’t grow fast.”
She blinked twice like a processing glitch was causing a delay in her mainframe. “No haircut?”
“No haircut, Dahlia.” My breathing didn’t even out until she put the scissors on the dresser. “How about you pick a dress for me, and I’ll show you how I like to do my hair and makeup. Maybe tomorrow you can do something else. Deal?”
Her eyes twitched as if she didn’t know the expression, but a smile crossed her cheeks soon after. “Deal.”
The scissors clattered in the drawer as I shoved them into the depths. Dahlia’s squeals of delight over my wardrobe brought some happiness back to my world. I designed and sewed most of them, so it was nice hearing the appreciation. As she brought in dress after dress, positively gushing over them, I started to think about my situation.
Fitz didn’t have any say over the lady maid’s selection, but someone did. Was everyone assigned an inexperienced aide, or was that reserved for me? Was someone making sure I looked like an idiot?
And if they were, then why?
I had better dresses, but none that would fit the atmosphere. With drinks and chatting, a well-tailored cocktail dress served a better purpose than a gown.
“No one else has been assigned a room,” Dahlia whispered as we walked to the parlor where I would meet the others and eventually Fitz. “You must be special to the prince.”
It would have been easy enough to explain our prior relationship, but something about the way Fitz hustled me out of his room had me hesitant to say anything. “Or maybe they knew I was far from home and couldn’t leave right away if I’m dismissed.”
Dahlia nodded eagerly. “Or maybe, they don’t want you near the others because you’re American.”
She supplied that idea without much work. It left me wondering if my earlier concerns had some merit.
“Fun game, Dahlia,” I said with no lack of sarcasm. As usual, she missed it entirely.
“Thank you. I’ll try to think of another one for later.” She pulled back the door and effectively melted into the shadows. Once more, my view left me breathless. When he said parlor, I thought a small room with a piano and maybe a bookcase. But this, this was more like… I didn’t even have words.
Artwork adorned every wall. Gold leaf highlights caught the low candles and gentle illumination of the crystal chandeliers. Yes, plural, as in three, that hung from the towering ceilings. A fireplace roared with ample heat for the entire room, the mouth of it as tall as a grown man. Everywhere I looked, lavish decadence spoke to artistic craftmanship I’d never seen firsthand, not to this level. And throughout the room, women dressed in their finest watched me like I was enemy number one.
I understood why Fitz might be reluctant to disclose our past. There was one difference between me and the rest of them that couldn’t be ignored. They were all here to fall in love and marry the prince. If I looked like I had a leg up on them, I’d have a target on my head. That would make it harder for me to learn the truth for him. But it wasn’t the first time I’d walked into a room full of competitors hoping I’d trip and fall on my face. I knew how to be congenial in the face of nastiness. I spotted Gwendolyn and Fallon near the window, but instinct told me it wasn’t a smart move. The nobles clearly stood on the other side of the room, Lilith, Esmerey, and four others who regarded the rest of the room as though they were trash. They’d even donned tiaras to be sure none of us forgot how much better they were. In the corner, nearly concealed by the shadows, I spotted my only chance for allies.
Blair, Dagny, and three others looked like they wanted to vanish instead of stay in the room. Well, not Dagny. Just as earlier, she looked ready to climb the walls with excitement.
“Do you think these are thirteenth century tapestries? Or fifteenth?” She spoke to anyone who would listen as I approached the group. “It’s easy to tell. Thirteenth taste a little different. More ash, less tallow. Want me to show you?” She had one of the tassels in her mouth before Blair pulled it out.
“Dagny, you can’t chew on the wall hangings like a puppy.” She smoothed the tassel back down and turned back to find me within speaking distance. “Are you lost?”
At first, I thought she was attacking me and my defenses went on high alert, but no, on second thought, I realized it was an actual question.
“No, I don’t think so.” I looked around the parlor. “This is where we’re supposed to meet Fi—“ I caught myself, “Prince Fitzborough, right?”
A couple of them exchanged glances, but it was the one on the end who wore a simple blue cotton dress with a silver sash who answered. “Blair meant, do you really mean to be over here with us?”
I frowned. “Should I not?”
Blair shrugged. “Most people who look and dress like you might do better… elsewhere.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I went for diplomacy. Sticking my hand out, I said, “I’m Michaela. I’m from America. I have no friends here and you appear to be throwing the least amount of eye daggers in my direction.”
Blair’s mouth twitched with an amused smile before she shook my hand with a confident grip. “Blair, and this precocious creature is Dagny.” She motioned to her and then turned to the other side. “This is Eirene, and next to her are Carline and Sadie.”
I nodded to each of them in turn. “Great to meet you all. May I ask why you’re acting like social pariahs?”
