Lady Laurents raised a corner of her mouth,and Kambry was certain she knew exactly what Kambry was thinking.“You escaped him the first time by acting immediately. You escapedhim again because you had done it once before. Would the Kambry doBrode who asked for Kavin Wood to take her in have thought shewould be victorious in such a situation?”
“I never asked Kavin to take me in. Mybrother’s friends said the chant.”
Lady Laurents shook her head. “I know whospoke the chant. But Kavin knew you needed to escape. Russal canopen the path, just as you now know you can. But only Kavin canidentify the need for help. Did it not help you leave when Coveystole you from Russal at the Grand Review?”
“I asked it to.”
“Russal must have told you no one goes homefrom Kavin, but you did.”
“Let’s go back to talking about Sybil.”
Lady Laurents exhaled, sounding like a snorttrying hard not to be a chuckle.
Kambry eyed her suspiciously.
“As you wish. Trust Sybil. She is trying herbest under difficult circumstances. She has a very greenqueen.”
It was Kambry’s turn to strangle a laugh.Green was indeed her color.
Lady Laurents returned to the open doorway tothe balcony. “Call on Kavin. We need a little airflow in this stillmorning air. You’ll be wanting Kavin’s soothing attention once thedressers arrive.” She gazed out at the garden, her words driftingover her shoulder to Kambry who stood by the satin chair. “It willbe the only thing that will keep you from knocking heads. Iremember Mya on her coronation day hated their ministrations.” Sheturned and pinned Kambry with her narrow gaze. “The annoying twitstreated her like a doll to dress up and quite took over herquarters.”
This time Kambry allowed her to redirect theconversation. She recalled the preparation for the Grand Review.The dresser and her assistants had overrun her suite and nearlyruined the illustration she worked on as a gift for Amily beforeshe threatened to throw them all out and caused her guard to enterbecause of the ruckus. She already disliked the idea of beingdressed and primped, but now tremors rattled up her spine. Soon theregiment of royal dressers would arrive.
“Buck up, child. You just faced your sybiland set her in her proper place. You have me, much better equippedto aid you than I was so long ago with Mya.” A sadness draped hernormally commanding features. They grew taut with her usualdetermined expression. “But today, they will heel appropriately totheir new queen. Put up with nothing that annoys you. Set the tone.Take your cue from me if need be.”
“I don’t wish to be a queen known for hertemper.”
Lady Laurents took no offense. “I don’t speakof temper. I speak of position. They have a job, of which they arevery good. You must dictate how they go about it. You need not be astraw man for them to do their job. They need not consider thisspace theirs. They are servants in your domain. Set the tone, notthe temper.”
“How?”
“Attitude and direction. Hold your head upand give them only what is necessary to do their job. Your hair,clothing, and feet are their concern. As for comportment, leavethat to me. I’ll guide you.” She perused the room, her lipsflattening with her consideration. “So what space do you feelshould be theirs for the temporary occupation of yourchambers?”
Kambry stared out at the landscape beyond thebalcony. Had Lady Laurents deliberately redirected her to thepreparations for the ceremony to keep her from challenging her toprove her loyalties? Would she keep Sybil’s secret? Should shebring the subject back up? If Lady Laurents planned to betray her,it might be best if she believe Kambry was no longer thinking aboutSybil’s warning.
She squared her shoulders and examined herquarters. The Condoris usually held these rooms when Amily and Tomovisited Russal, but Kambry and her family had been using them sincethe couple had headed home for the birth of their twins. Amily andTomo stayed in another suite close by, and Kambry’s family alsoreceived rooms elsewhere in the castle. Her chambers, outside ofher father’s room, which a live-in guard now occupied, were herown. Until later today, when she gave them up to enter the royalsuite with Russal, she reminded herself.
Maybe the room Stahn had used during hisbrief stay in Kavin after the coup the Paddlyrun militia had aidedin putting down would be the best place to have the dressers setup. It kept them out of her room where she could put items shewanted safe from their invasive bustle. She surveyed the space fromthe open doorway. The bed was on the far wall, leaving a tallwardrobe and a low chest of drawers for laying out items. The openarea in the middle of the room would accommodate the inevitablebath she would have to take.
Lady Laurents joined her. “This room is anexcellent choice. It is closest to the door and therefore limitstheir access to the rest of your apartment.” She cocked her head.“You have held them off as long as you can, perhaps even too long.They will show up soon.”
A knock on her door drew their attention.
Lady Laurents white brow rose. “I believethey are here.” She stepped into the bedroom. “I’ll pull thecurtains and light a lamp or two. You go let them know who is queenin this castle.”
Chapter Two
The head dresser pressedthe last amethyst-headed hairpin into place, scraping Kambry’sscalp.
Kambry took a deep breath, exhaling silently,and shared an impatient gaze with Lady Laurents.
Lady Laurents had remained standing by thedoor, an imposing figure that the dressers had skirted by as if shewere crusted with sharp points. A smile that almost included hereyes pulled at her lips. She shook her cane. “Ladies, let Miss doBrode look. You’ve quite outdone yourselves, though you had a goodcanvas to work with.” The women murmured with delight at thepraise. “Now you can leave.” They silenced at once, each scurryingto gather their paraphernalia and exit the room.
Lady Laurents opened the wardrobe, revealingmirrors on the inside of the doors.
Kambry stood before one as Lady Laurentsangled the second behind her.
“Well,” Lady Laurents said. The lead dresserpaused in the doorway.
Kambry watched her reflection nod.
