“Please, sit,” he says. “There's no need for everyone to stay on their feet.”
As Waverly and Katherine find their seats, I take my place back on the couch. I'm still overly aware of his presence next to me, but now it's charged with my failings.
“The dress really is nice, Miss Katherine,” Zade says. “It's good of you and Waverly to put a smile on her face. Sorry I was so surprised at it.”
“Thank you. It was a pleasure making it for her and Waverly has a hidden talent for doing hair.”
Waverly shrugs. “It's how we do hair at home, just what I was asked to do.”
“Well, it's good.” Zade leans toward her a moment, then seems to catch himself and leans back. The knot in my stomach multiplies. “Tell us, Miss Katherine, where do you get ideas for your dresses? I'm not overly familiar with women's fashions, but I can tell these are different from usual Chardonian dresses.”
“Please do tell,” Cynthia says. “I love what you've done.”
While she talks, I grab a biscuit and nibble on it
“There's not much to tell, I'm afraid. Most of my ideas come from mixing what the tarnished have with what the wives wear. More practical, yet still beautiful. A few things from other countries. Where ever I can find inspiration.”
“No one's done it yet, though,” Cynthia says.
“A few have tried. Not exactly like my designs, but similar. None have succeeded.”
“I for one hope you do,” Zade says. “You've done well. We'll have to see what we can do to get Serena to show the dresses off.”
“I was thinking of wearing them while delivering some of the invites,” I say.
“Splendid idea,” he responds.
Katherine's face lights up. “That'd be kind. Thank you.”
“Do you have any other designs we haven't seen yet?” Cynthia asks.
“Mostly variations on things you've already seen, but there's one other thing.”
“What is it?”
“I'm not sure I should say.” She eyes Zade.
“Go ahead. I won't get after you for having ideas.”
She shifts in her chair. “I've made a few pairs of female britches.”
My sisters and I all gasp. Waverly laughs. “We wear those all the time.”
Even if they do it in Envado, it certainly isn't done here. All of Katherine's ideas have turned out to be good, but this one I don't think I'll ever like. Besides, society would never allow it.
“I had heard Envadi woman wear them,” she says. “That's why I made some.”
Zade says, “Perhaps you can talk these three into trying some.”
“I'll see what I can do.” Katherine laughs.
“I think the gardens will look lovely for the ball,” I say, desperately trying to change to subject. I can't imagine wearing breeches. Having those things clinging to my legs all day, I don't think I could stand it. And such little material? Hardly fitting for a woman.
Talk of the ball resumes. Which girls we went to class with that we should invite. Who of them is likely to come. What will they likely wear. The talking continues so long, the girls soon have me lost with all the details again. I yawn.
Zade stands, causing the conversation to halt. “You ladies carry on, I'm going to run some errands while in town.”
As soon as he finishes, they continue, but I say, “Yes, Master,” and look him right in the eye, silently pleading for him to take me with.
“I told you—” his expression lightens, before becoming stern, “woman, that you weren't leaving my side today. Stop being lazy and let's go.”
The conversation halts.
“Yes, Chancellor Zade.” I put on a sorrowful face for the girls. “Do you mind continuing without me?”
“No,” Cynthia says. “We'll take care of things.”
“I don't know what I would do without you,” I say.
“Not have a very good ball,” she says.
“Very true.”
The girls laugh and I join them. I grab my cloak and exit the shop with Zade.
“Thank you,” I say to Zade. “I don't mind a few details, but that was too much. I don't know why they enjoy it so much.”
“So, they'll basically plan it for you?”
“Shameful, isn't it?”
He walks away from the carriage.
The day is clear with a light breeze, but I shouldn't just walk around town. It wouldn't be seemly. At least, Father always said it wouldn't. “Where are you off to?”
“Nowhere. I don't really have any errands. You're not the only one that couldn't sit any longer.”
“Should we take the carriage?”
“Why? It's such a nice day.”
“Should I really be going around town this much? Besides, this is the tarnished side of town.”
“So? You found Katherine here.”