I'm hoping to power through this now so I can hang up my quill.
*
A few weeks after they had arrived at Lady Beatrice's house, Lady Bea summoned Norah to attend her in her dressing room.
"Your handiwork has been much admired at court" she told Norah. Norah blushed uncomfortably. "So much so that the Queen would like to speak to you!"
Norah wasn't sure whether she heard right, so she just stared at Lady Beatrice.
"Did you hear me?" She frowned a little, then smiled at Norah's dumbfounded face. "Yes you did. Go, get ready, I presume you have a better dress than that? Yes? Put it on, I'll send Marie to dress your hair for you."
Norah nodded and curtsied before leaving.
"Wait here." They were instructed. Lady Bea went to sit by one of the windows and looked idly out of it. Norah, as she'd been instructed in the carriage ride over, stood just behind her feeling underdressed in her best dress.
It was snowing lightly outside, the falling snowflakes hypnotic and Norah felt herself soothed as they waited.
Behind them, people came and went, some were told to wait, some told to leave and try again another day.
The door to the meeting room opened. Lady Bea stood, beckoned to Norah to follow and went in.
Lady Bea approached the King and Queen on their thrones and curtsied low. Norah, standing further back did the same, keeping her eyes on the floor, wishing she was anywhere other than where she was. She glanced furtively up. Lady Caitlyn smiled slightly to encourage her.
"Lady Beatrice! It is good to see you again!" The Queen smiled and stood to kiss her friend. "Are you well? I trust the arrangements for the ball are going well?"
"Yes, as well as can be expected your majesty."
King Louis smiled happily,
"Well, it is all anyone is talking about these days. I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations." He warned.
Lady Bea inclined her head politely. Queen Anne stood up.
They all looked over to the doors as Cardinal Richelieu entered the room closely followed by Rocheforte.
Norah felt sick, her heart dropped to her stomach and she felt unsteady on her feet. Taking a deep breath she glanced up again at Lady Caitlyn who also looked pale. Her eyes flickered imperceptibly at Norah.
"Is this your dressmaker?" Queen Anne asked, smiling kindly at Norah.
"Yes, this is Norah." Lady Beatrice drew Norah forwards.
Norah curtsied again, her heart pounding.
"You are the one responsible for the wonderful dresses I have been seeing on Lady Beatrice and Comtesse?"
Norah curtsied again, head down.
"Yes your majesty"
The air seemed to grow heavy around them.
Louis stood up, clapping his hands together delightedly.
"Well, that is all very good I'm sure. Richelieu? What can I do for you?"
Richelieu paused, looking confused for an instant.
"Sire, I thought..." He glanced furiously at Lady Caitlin who remained impassive. "I have brought yet more news of the musketeers brawling in the streets."
"Come!" Said the Queen as Richelieu spoke to the King. "I wish to discuss my costume with you."
She nodded at Richelieu as she left the room through a door behind the thrones. Lady Caitlyn curtsied to the King and followed her with the other ladies in waiting. Lady Bea did the same, followed by a pale and shaky Norah.