Page 50 of House of Roots and Ruin
“We missed you last night. And this morning,” she added, her brow twisting with concern. “Alexander told me about the peacocks scaring you. I’m so terribly sorry I forgot to mention them. I hope your night wasn’t too awful?”
I knew she expected me to assuage her guilt. “No harm done.”
“And…I thought it might be fun for us to go into town tomorrow? You’ve been working so hard, with the portrait and all of Gerard’s silly flowers, surely a break is in order. I thought we might have lunch, visit some of the shops? We could leave after breakfast.”
“That sounds…” I paused, searching for the right word. It was certainly unexpected. I’d only just arrived and had assumed Dauphine would want me to complete my commission as soon as possible.
“Oh, please say yes,” she continued on as if she’d not heard my hesitation. “I’m cooped up here with all of these men and…Marguerite.” She gave me a knowing, wicked smile. “It would be wonderful to spend some time with you.”
After a moment, I nodded. “I would enjoy that, Dauphine. Thank you.”
She smiled, brightening the air around her. “Oh, thrilling! I’ll let the coachmen know. Howisthe portrait coming along?”
“Very well, I think. I started a first attempt this morning, just to get a feel for the pose. We still need to find the right location.”
Dauphine nodded. “Alexander told me how much he’s enjoyed being in your company.”
I thought of his fingers closed around my wrist and my cheeks heated. “He makes for a wonderful subject.”
She twisted the set of rings on her left hand, their jewels sparkling even in the late afternoon light. “He’s such a dear boy. I’m glad he has someone new to talk with. I’m afraid he doesn’t get much company here. Especially from young ladies, such as yourself.”
“No?” I mused. “I would have thought—”
Dauphine shook her head and her earrings—giant emerald orbs—bobbed back and forth. “Alexander is quite particular about who he allows into his life. He had a very solitary childhood. After the accident, I was so scared of what else might happen to him, I did everything I could to keep him safe. Perhaps I was a bit overzealous.”
“I understand how that feels, being so isolated while growingup.”
“Of course you do,” she exclaimed. “Highmoor is the only estate on your island, isn’t it?”
“Our closest neighbors are a three-hour boat ride away. In good weather,” I added.
Her forehead creased with concern. “I’m sure both of you have much in common, then. You’re sure to be close companions in no time.”
“I…I hope so.”
Dauphine smiled. “I do too.”
“That shade of blue is all wrong for you,” the shop assistant said, removing a swatch of fabric from under my face.
“But I’ve always liked—”
“No, no. It’s too at odds with your skin tone. See?”
She held up the satin again, pointing toward a mirror edged in golden swans and showers of gilt petals. Her expression curdled with horror.
“I think it looks nice.”
The young woman shook her head and whisked the fabric away as though she thought I might try to wrestle it from her.
Dauphine offered me a smile of commiseration. Dress sketches littered the tufted chaise around her.
“Is it always so stressful here?” I whispered, lest the shop assistant overhear me.
“Only when you dare to have the wrong opinion,” she murmured, tittering with amusement. “That bluedidwash you out.”
“This isn’t necessary,” I said, stepping down from the dais. “I don’t need a new dress. Certainly nothing as fancy as all these.” I took a seat at the other end of the chaise, flipping through the cast-off designs.
They were all ridiculously over the top—skirts poofed and bolstered by dozens of yards of trim, shoulders so accentuated by sharp angles that the wearer would look more reptilian than woman, bodices drowning in paillettes and paste jewels.
