Page 14 of Peasants and Kings
After I got dressed, we headed to the makeup department. The price tag on some of the products made my head spin, but after the dress and pumps, I realized it was useless to protest. We spent some time finding the perfect colors for my complexion and after a short while, we said goodbye to Macy and then headed to the elevators.
Tiffany pressed the “up” button.
“We’re not going to the salon?” I asked.
“Not yet. The appointment isn’t for another hour.” She shook her head. “I’m hungry. Aren’t you?”
The buzz of champagne had worn off and I’d burned through the eggs. “Yeah. I could eat, actually.”
We rode the glass elevator to the fifth floor and walked to the patisserie café. The tables were covered in lace tablecloths and white china. Each of them had a tea service set and a three-tier cake stand. Tiffany sashayed up to the hostess, who looked us over.
“We don’t have a reservation. I’m Tiffany Bristol.” Tiffany absently touched the key pendant around her neck.
The hostess’s eyes settled on Tiffany’s neckline and her flat lips curved into a smile. “We have just the table for you, Ms. Bristol. Right this way, please.”
We followed the young woman through the room to the back corner and arrived at a table tucked near a large window. It was private and intimate.
“Your server will be right with you. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
She inclined her head and then stalked away, the sound of her heels fading as she retreated back to her hostess stand.
Two servers arrived. One carried a tea tray complete with a teapot, two cups on saucers, sugar cubes, and milk. The other brought an elegant three-tiered cake tray.
Tiffany thanked them and then they left. She took her napkin and rested it in her lap. “Have you been to high tea before?”
“No.”
“Start with the tea.” She held up her strainer and set it on her teacup. “We’re drinking loose leaf.” She lifted the teapot and poured it over the strainer and then set the pot down and gestured for me to do the same. “I like milk and sugar in my tea, so I’ll add both.” She grasped the tongs and picked up a sugar lump and gently eased it into the tea, avoiding any plop or splattering. She then took the creamer and added a splash of milk, as elegantly as if she had been born and raised by a prestigious family from Chelsea in west London.
“When you stir,” she explained. “You don’t do it in a circular motion, but in a six-twelve motion. This prevents the clinking sound and it also dissolves the sugar quickly.”
She demonstrated and I nodded.
“We’ll eat the finger sandwiches on the bottom tier first—with our actual fingers.” Tiffany grinned. “And then we move onto the scones.And I’ll show you how we do it when we get to it. Sound good?”
“Yeah,” I said. “But why are you showing me all this?”
“It’ll come in handy when Gen appraises you.”
“Appraises me? I’m not a piece of jewelry. This is making me uncomfortable.”
She peered at me over the delicate china and tea. “I’ve never wanted to tell you the truth more than I do right now, but I can’t…”
“Do you really work for The Rex, Tiff? Or have you gotten yourself into a situation—”
“I work for The Rex, and there is no situation. Now drink the tea before it gets cold.”
Chapter Four
Tiffany reached out to smooth an errant curl over my ear. “There. Now you look perfect.”
I grinned. “Are you sure the red lipstick isn’t too bold?”
“Oh, it’s super bold, but it makes you look fearless. Besides, it’s the only color you’re wearing. The white dress makes it pop.”
Tiffany had given me a mild sleeping pill the previous evening to ensure that I’d rest the night before the interview instead of tossing and turning, wondering about what I was walking into. I’d had a solid eight hours of sleep, and combined with the magic of high-end concealer, I looked my best.
“How are you feeling?” Tiffany asked.
