Once again, Madelaine felt the tug of jealousy. Since her parents had both been only children, she had no aunts or uncles. “Why are we going to see your aunt?”
“I believe she can help you.” Lady Elizabeth rested a hand on Madelaine’s arm as they walked through the large chambers toward the stairs that led to the rooms occupied by the king and queen’s most important guest. As a longtime friend of the queen’s, Lady Elizabeth’s aunt clearly held great social importance.
As they strolled through the corridor, the hum of voices mingled with the pounding notes of music to fill the passageway. “Do we have time?”
“Just. If we hurry,” Lady Elizabeth whispered as a group of courtiers passed. They chattered as they moved down the corridor toward St. George’s hall. The women and men were dressed in their finest clothing, each undoubtedly looking forward to a feast.
Madelaine’s stomach twisted into knots. No doubt her night would be long. If she thought there was the slightest chance the queen would not notice her missing, she would skip dinner tonight just to gain a reprieve from Lord Thorton.
The women scurried up the stairs, turning right at the top and making their way down a narrow, candlelit passageway. At the third door, Lady Elizabeth paused. “I’m sorry for before. I’ve liked you from the start.” She squeezed Madelaine’s hand.
“And I you,” Madelaine said, her throat thick with emotion. After so long without friends at Court, she almost wanted to cry now that she had one. Silly and pathetic, but true.
“My brother says I must learn to be brave. And I know he’s right.” Lady Elizabeth raised her fist and knocked on the door.
Madelaine stood with her thoughts buzzing in her head like bees around a honey hive. So Lord Grey had really convinced his sister to be Madelaine’s friend. A man who was simply a rake and nothing more wouldn’t do that. Rakes only cared for themselves. As the door opened, Madelaine pushed the thoughts of Lord Grey away and focused on the lady’s maid who stood facing them.
“Louisa!” Lady Elizabeth exclaimed and wrapped the older woman in a hug. Wisps of silver hair loosened from the servant’s severe bun and fell to touch her hunched shoulders. “I’d no idea you were accompanying Aunt Helen.”
“My lady insists. She claims nary a servant in the castle can dress her hair as I can.”
“It’s true,” replied a husky voice from within.
Lady Elizabeth released the servant and tugged on Madelaine’s hand. “Louisa, we shall visit tomorrow. Tonight, I’m on a mission.”
As Madelaine was fairly dragged into the bedchambers, she struggled to enter gracefully, but her slipper caught on the edge of a rug and she tripped into the room. She quickly smoothed her skirts and then frantically tried to pin back the locks of her hair that now swung in her face. She must look ridiculous. Before she could pin the last bit of hair, Lady Elizabeth’s aunt stepped from behind a dressing screen and stared at Madelaine with her large, almond-shaped eyes.
This was Lady Elizabeth and Lord Grey’s aunt? Dark chestnut hair piled artfully atop her head and laced liberally with sparkling diamonds made the woman look more fitted as an idol than an aunt. Her creamy skin and perfect hair made Madelaine uncomfortably aware her own face had not been washed since that morning nor had her hair been brushed.
And her gown! She wore purple silk ordained with glittering gems placed alluringly around her bodice. Madelaine reached to fidget with her mussed gown, but at the smile of amusement that touched Lady Elizabeth’s aunt’s mouth, Madelaine forced herself to draw her hands in front of her and clasp them together as if she had not a care in the world.
“Hard, isn’t it, dear?”
“Pardon?”
“To hold perfectly still even though you want to fix your appearance.”
A dratted flush heated Madelaine’s cheeks. Well, she certainly couldn’t feign bafflement now that her skin had given her away. “Yes. It’s difficult but has become easier with practice.”
“Brava, dear. I like a woman who is honest.”
“Well, my flush left me little choice.”
“Still, you could have lied.”
“I suppose I could have.” Madelaine could tell already she was going to like Lady Elizabeth’s aunt.
“Niece, does this young lady have anything to do with your mission?”
Lady Elizabeth nodded. “Aunt, this is my friend Lady Madelaine Aldridge. Helping her is my mission.”
“Aldridge, you said?”
The older woman was staring at Madelaine with the oddest expression. Madelaine began to fidget under her scrutiny. “Yes, Lady…?”
“Oh, gracious. I’m sorry, Lady Madelaine,” Lady Elizabeth rushed out. “This is my aunt, Lady Denton.”
Lady Denton smiled warmly at Madelaine. “You may call me Helenin private. All my friends do.”
