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“That’s it?” Parties? Lenore tried to keep her face neutral, but it was hard when Lydia was ecstatic about a career in partying.
“No. Don’t be so judgy.”
“I’m not judging.” She was. Lenore was totally judging.
“I’m learning so much about the fashion industry. The parties don’t happen that often, and they’re not that fun. I can’t damage the merchandise. Mostly, I’m an intern. Go there. Fetch this. Like now.” She tapped the box. “For you.”
“I didn’t order anything.”
“That’s why it’s called a gift. Hurry up and open it. I need to take measurements.”
Lenore tugged on the ribbon, letting it fall to the floor, and opened the box. Inside, nestled on white tissue paper that sparkled enough to be fresh snow, was a scarlet wool cape lined with sable. She held the cape up to the light, marveling at how fine the wool felt and the softness of the sable lining. She wanted to bury her face in it.
“Who?” Lenore asked.
Lydia handed her a cream-colored envelope. Lenore recognized the royal seal. Baris. Mystery solved.
“I can’t accept this,” she said.
Lydia rolled her eyes. “It’s a coat. You need a coat. Are you going to go shopping today?”
“No, I don’t have time?—”
“Then let’s just skip the part where you protest that it’s too much and what will people think and try it on,” Lydia said.
Annoyingly, Lydia was right. She needed a coat, which her friend knew. Her friend also knew that she didn’t have time to go shopping, so the shops came to her.
Lenore fumbled with the fasteners at the front, then slung the cape over her shoulders. It swallowed her up, falling down to her knees. Lydia adjusted the front and pulled the hood over Lenore’s head.
“It’s very Little Red Riding Hood,” Lenore said, which was not a bad thing in her opinion. Not everyone got to be a fairytale princess. Some fought wolves.
“It’s not too big? I had to guess at your height. Spin. Let me see the back.”
“It’s marvelous,” Lenore said, following directions. The wool had a good weight to it, like it could withstand the wind.
“Nia got a message this morning from a client that you just don’t refuse,” Lydia explained. “The cape is the best we can do without your measurements. Nia took this off the rack and spent all morning sewing the new hem.”
“The length is perfect.” It fell just below her knees.
“You’re a little taller than me, so we guessed. Okay, let me get your measurements.”
“Why?”
“For your real coat.”
“This is gorgeous and will keep me warm enough,” Lenore said.
“Oh, I don’t think you understand your benefactor. You’re to be dressed like a queen.”
Lenore picked the envelope back up and turned it over in her hands. She couldn’t explain the reluctance she felt at opening the envelope. Baris wanted to be friends. Fine. But a gift like this wasn’t friendship. It was something else. Something that people would talk about.
“Baris said that?” she asked.
“Maybe. I didn’t take the order, but those are the words Nia used.” Lydia pointed to Lenore and snapped her fingers. “Cape. Off. Arms out. Don’t move.”
Lenore held her arms out and stood still while Lydia did a full-body scan with a handheld device.
The king was generous with his gifts. Who was she to argue?
