Page 54 of Storm of Shadows

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“Uh uh. We need to see it. And you need to try the others on too so we can judge what’s best.”

I hold the dress to my chest. “I don’t think we need to–”

“Don’t be silly, we do,” he insists.

I hesitate. I really don’t want to undress in front of them. I peer towards the door.

“Are you worried about us seeing you naked?” Fly laughs. “Cupcake, we already went over this, you’re not my type.”

“I know, I’m just … shy.”

“Are you?” Clare says, unconvinced.

“Yes, I’d rather try this on in the privacy of my own room.”

“No need,” Fly says, grabbing Clare by the hand and spinning them both around. “We won’t look. I’ll even cover my eyes, see?”

I hesitate again, then quickly as I can, strip out of my uniform and tug on the dress.

“Are you done?” Fly asks impatiently.

“Errr, yes,” I say, smoothing down the skirt that falls right above my knees.

“Ooo,” Fly murmurs, turning around to face me again. “That color suits you. It would look even better if you took down your h–”

“No,” I say.

He shakes his head and leans towards Clare, saying in a faux whisper, “She has a thing about her hair too.”

“Why?” Clare asks, blinking.

“I don’t have a thing about my hair, I just prefer it up, that’s all.”

Fly rolls his eyes, then yanks Clare around again. “Right, try on another.”

“But you said this one looks good.”

“Yes, and the others could look better.”

I know I’m not going to win this battle, so I strip again and try on one of the other outfits he’s flung on the bed.

Five outfits later, we’re all in agreement that the blue dress is the best.

“It’s pretty, and a little bit sexy,” Clare says, “without being too sexy.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t make you look desperate,” Fly agrees.

“I’m not,” I remind him, wondering if the uniform was better after all. I glance down at the dress. “Does it look like I’m trying too hard, like I’m making an effort?”

“I have a feeling boys like the Princes would like that,” Clare says.

“Yeah,” I say; the problem is, I think they would.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Beaufort

This time I’m waiting by the door at eight o’clock.

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