“We’ll make a plan later, but we will take our time doing it. Now, GO.”
She wanted to kiss him again, kiss him always, forever. But that was not happening tonight, so she picked up her skirt and ran as fast as she could to her bedchamber. It wasn’t until she lay in her bed that evening, replaying the kiss in all its awkward loveliness, the cool Wonderland breeze dancing over her skin, that she realized they had left the vial in The Box, along with a drawing in the dust of a wavy triangle. It was there alone, in the darkness, waiting to be discovered.
Chapter Eight
Exactly one month since her whispered conversation in The Box, Dinah rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she glanced wearily at the ticking clock tucked into her bookcase. Today is the day, she thought, pushing herself onto her elbows. Today I see the Black Towers, and I learn who Faina Baker is. She sat up in bed, holding her cool palms against her warm cheeks, and allowed herself several deep breaths. I must be calm or this will never work, she thought. It must appear as every other day to everyone except Wardley and me. She gave an exaggerated yawn as Emily came bustling in with her fluffy bathing towels.
“How are you, Your Grace?”
“Just fine, thank you.”
The morning dragged on as usual: an elaborate bath followed by dressing and chatting idly with Harris and Emily. As Emily laced up the back of her gown, Dinah cleared her throat. “I’ve been invited to have tea today with Vittiore. I think I might attend in the afternoon.”
Emily stopped lacing. “With Vittiore? But . . . ?” Emily was well aware of Dinah’s deep hatred of Vittiore.
“It might not be a terrible idea to get to know her better. I’m to be Queen soon, and I should make peace with her. I can’t resent her forever. She is my subject.”
Dinah felt her voice edge up as the lie felt sour against her tongue. Harris stared at her from across the room in shock.
“I’ll make sure to dismiss Palma and Nanda.” Emily bit her lip angrily. She hated Vittiore’s two silly, stupid serving girls, Palma and Nanda; something that made Dinah love Emily even more. The servants never spoke to each other, not even on the palace rounds of gathering sheets, dresses, and daily linens. Dinah didn’t understand the deep hatred that the women had for each other, but for today at least, it was perfect that they wouldn’t even look the other in the eye. Harris hopped in happily from the other room.
“Did I hear that you will be taking tea with Vittiore today? Dinah, that is a magnificent idea, how wonderful! It is time that you two put aside your differences. You might see that she is the sister you always wanted.”
Ribbons tightened around Dinah’s ribs as Emily laced her up.
“A little lighter Emily, I don’t want to seem strained at tea today.”
Emily gave a frown. “I didn’t think about that Your Majesty; my apologies.” There was a heartbeat of silence, and then the pressure was relieved. “Why don’t we skip the corset for today, especially if you will be seated for a long period of time? But let’s go with a brilliant gown then, something that will remind the Duchess that you are the future Queen.” Emily opened Dinah’s white wardrobe and pulled out a magenta silk gown, all rosettes and layers. “This will make your black hair look radiant.”
Dinah made a face—to do otherwise would be out of character.
“Don’t frown, Princess, just put it on.”
As the gown slipped over her head, Dinah cleared her throat. “I’ll be at the library all morning doing private studies with Monsignor Wol-vore.”
Wol-vore was the language tutor. Dinah spent several days a week with him, learning to mimic the tongue of the Yurkei Mountain tribes and to hum the strange lilting sounds of the Western Slope accents. It was utterly useless in Dinah’s eyes, and mind-numbingly boring. That particular day, however, Monsignor Wol-vore would be visiting his mistress, a lovely lady of the court who lived just outside the palace. Wardley was finding that gold and gems bought a bounty of information on the various dark vices of the court.
“That sounds lovely Dinah, just lovely. I am so proud of you.”
Harris looked so happy, all puffed up and red cheeked. A stab of guilt shot through her. Dinah stared at herself in the mirror. Black eyes, many lies, she thought. Dinah cleared her throat.
“Both of you—I officially free you of all your duties for the day. Emily, you should go visit your family, and Harris—what better time to take in the rose garden, or play some croquet? I heard our white vendela roses are starting to bloom. . . .”
Harris’s eyes lit up. “I suppose I should. A bit of nature acts as a tonic for the soul.”
That was easy, she thought. Emily finished dressing Dinah, and she quickly ate her breakfast, making sure to have double helpings of both the eggs and the sweet peach bread. She would need it. As she headed out the door, Dinah grabbed a thin muslin bag.