I smiled at his concern, but disliked the expression on his face. “I have every intention of getting out into the world. I am due to see Duir—”
“That is not enjoyment,” Sylvain interrupted, “that is duty. You have not truly rested since Father was killed. You have not strayed from the shop for more than a trip to relieve yourself or indulge Duir in one of his varied whims.”
“Duty pays my keep and yours!” I barked, immediately regretting the attack as Sylvain’s face grew morose.
“I understand I am a burden. For this, I am sorry. I do all I can to earn my way in this world. I will try harder to live up to your expectations.”
Before I could apologize, he departed. I sighed heavily. I stood to go after him, but a woman’s voice stopped me.
“Virago?”
I hurriedly folded the three pieces of velvet and placed them inside the large leather pack I used for transporting materials.
“Who is it?”
“Who indeed!”
I went to the door and opened it to find Therese. I had not seen her since the fated night of Duir’s attack.
“Therese.” I attempted to swallow my surprise, but the lady caught me.
“Dear Virago, how I love seeing the shock upon your beautiful face! Yes, I am once again out and among the living.”
“And how do you find the living?”
“Dreadful and dull,” she retorted. A sly smile formed on her garishly painted lips.
“What are you about?” she asked and pushed her way past me into my shop, a mischievous smile on her lips. “I smell a scandal in the air, a secret lover hidden in a closet?”
I shut the door behind her, comforted in knowing I had stowed the velvet from her prying eyes.
“Hardly. What secrets could a tailor possibly hold onto?”
“It is those who cannot hold secrets who are often asked to keep them,” she said with a wink. Therese settled herself into a large chair that I had positioned by the window looking out to the side garden. “I’m surprised you aren’t at court looking over Duir’s shoulder and forcing his arms into a new coronation garment, or have you fallen out of favor?” Therese snapped open an elaborately bejeweled fan and gazed over its gilt edges at my worktable.
“I am never out of favor with His Grace.” I tried to avoid letting my eyes rest on the leather pack, which lay close enough for Therese to grab, open and expose its precious contents. “I am actually on my way to him shortly.”
“Ahh, I come in time. I have two points of business.” She paused. “Are you not even going to offer me a dribble after my excruciating journey?” As she asked this, she fanned herself dramatically as though she may languish at any moment. Her brothel, located barely three miles away, in the southern part of town, is a place renowned beyond the borders of Duir’s kingdom. Therese and I shared a friendship of mutual benefit. I would make garments for her in secret. In return, she paid handsomely for my services.
“Your journey of three miles must have been grueling,” I replied.
With an exaggerated sigh, she stood, went to the door, opened it and clapped loudly several times.
I watched in amazement as a minute later, a young man approached, his arms laden with a burden of feather, bead, and silk.
“This is Claus, a new attendant of mine.” She reached across to the man and stroked his chin appreciatively.
Claus smiled at this attention and bowed graciously once Therese released his chin.
I stared only long enough to admire his presence. He had the graceful body of one who had known theatre or dance, and I appreciated this contrast of grace and masculinity. He wore fine suede breeches, high, dark brown boots, and a fitted brown vest with a looser fitting cream shirt underneath.
“It’s an honor to meet the creator of such a master work of beauty, though I am ashamed to say that I am the cause of its damage.”
I stared questioningly over his shoulder at Therese.
She laughed. “Indeed he is the culprit, but if you must lash someone, dear Virago, it is me who should bear the belt. I couldn’t resist seeing how such a body would look in your masterpiece. I realized he split the seams only after he had the gown on.”
I tried to hide my own embarrassed smile at such an odd admission, but found the corners of my mouth twitched with hilarity.
A hot blush rose upon Claus’s fair and cleanly shaven cheeks. “You see, I am also an actor and am often asked to play the female role.”
“Well, you have found yourself in good company.” My mouth trembled with repressed mirth. “I’m sure you know Therese is a master of the theatrical arts.”
“Indeed,” Claus enthused. “I am proud to have made My Lady’s acquaintance. Her theatre troupe is most highly regarded.”
At this, I raised my eyebrows. “And how is the theatre these days? Will you be staging a performance after the coronation feast?” I asked Therese, who also had an amused look on her face.
Her smile widened beyond the borders of her fan. “Both my endeavors are wildly successful, the bed is another stage, and in the end I always get applause, as do those who work for me.”
“And what of the coronation?” I queried. “Will your troupe be performing, or has Duir overlooked you for Lord Landing’s Men?”
The corners of Therese’s mouth drooped. “I am being asked to vie for the honor of performing! It is outrageous!” She stood, snapped her fan shut, and held it towards me like a weapon. “He knows me and my women as whores. He cannot see I am truly a woman of the theatre. Lord Landing and his men can perform for the pigs!”
“Peace, Lady. I only ask because I know your staging well and have enjoyed many a performance by your fireside. It is a rare person
