‘This will have to do until we get some dresses made for you.’She walked behind me to tie it in place.
The petticoat was far too short for me, and my battered leather boots stuck out awkwardly beneath the skirt.
A loud snort from the daybed told me Bethel was only pretending to read her book.
‘Do I need to wear this now?’
‘You must hold your skirt out while we practi se curtsying and dancing.’Ania smiled.
‘Dancing?’I squeaked.I had never danced in my life.
‘Only the basics for today.’She patted my arm.
I did not feel reassured.
‘Do as I do.You will curtsy like this when you are introduced to the king and queen.’Ania placed one slippered foot behind the other and gracefully bent her knees, all while holding out the skirts of her gown and bowing her head.
‘Now you try,’ she said, standing straight.
It seemed easy enough, so I lowered myself into a curtsy, remembering to hold out my petticoat.
‘Lower,’ Bethel called out.
I lowered myself further than Ania had.
‘You mustn’t rise until the king and queen have signalled you can, either by gesture or speaking directly to you.’Bethel’s slippered feet came into my line of sight as I kept my head bowed.
Bethel had shown no interest in instructing me on how to be her lady-in-waiting until now.This was a challenge then.I kept my gaze trained on the intricate pattern on the rug.I liked challenges.
The room was stuffy, and I felt a trickle of sweat run down my forehead.
‘I think that is long enough,’ Ania said.
‘No.’Bethel started to circle me.‘I once had to remain like this while the queen became distracted by a messenger with a letter.It wasn’t until she had finished reading it that she remembered I was there.’
‘Aunt Yaris would not have expected you to remain so,’ Ania said.
‘Even so, I did what any lady should do.’
My legs were beginning to tremble despite their strength.I wobbled slightly as I heard the door open.
‘You came!’Ania exclaimed.
‘I said I would,’ Atlas replied.
‘Why is Caris not moving?’Tomas came to stand beside Bethel.
‘Why is she wearing breeches and a skirt?’Atlas asked, his polished boots coming into my line of sight.
‘This is ridiculous,’ Ania declared.‘Caris, ignore Bethel.You can rise.’
Sweat was stinging my eyes.My legs were aching.
‘Bethel, tell her she can rise,’ Ania begged.
‘What is going on?’
‘Captain Torgrin!’Bethel’s slippered feet disappeared.
