A Dove's Tale

Chapter 112

Theresa was in a state when Chevalier and I returned from the stables. I glimpsed her bare back as soon as he opened the door for me, and I spun and shoved him into the hallway, apologizing to him and Theresa as I slammed the door in his face.

"Why aren't you dressed?" I asked her. She stood half-naked in front of the floor-length mirror, holding a dress in front of her, and, judging by the pile of clothes on the floor, her open bureau drawer was empty, or close to it. A damp towel hung over the back of the vanity chair, and the assortment of brushes, combs, and hairpins scattered across the surface of the vanity told the story of a recent battle with her hair.

"My hair took too long," she said, scowling at her reflection. "I wanted to try this new style, and it turned out great, but nothing I have goes with it." She tossed the dress in her hands onto the reject pile, groaning with exasperation. "What am I going to do?"

"You must have something," I said, studying her hair. She'd tamed her red curls into an off-the-shoulder style that lent her an air of subtle seduction, and I had to agree with her. Most of her wardrobe was bright colors or bold statements. That style needed something softer. "What about your new cream dress?"

She frowned and pulled it from her drawer. "Yeah, maybe," she said, turning back to the mirror with a critical eye. "But it needs something else."

"Red lipstick?"

A smile spread across her face. "You're right. That would be perfect."

"Great. So, can you help me out of my dress now?"

"Calling it a night already?" she asked, pulling her dress on and following me behind the dressing screen. She'd given up telling me we weren't on ground level and nobody could see me through the windows. If the drapes were open, I changed behind the dressing screen or in the bathroom.

"No, but I'm baking after dinner, so I thought I'd just change while you're still here," I explained.

"Your dinner! Oh, Ivetta, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot!"

"It's fine," I laughed. "I'll just eat in Chevalier's room."

"Do you want the dress with the red skirt?"

"Yes, please."

I stepped out of my gown and tossed it, the corset, and my chemise over the dressing screen. She returned with the simple commoner's dress for me, her own dress bagging in the front from unbuttoned fastenings at the back.

"You know, you could cook for him," she suggested.

"Cook for him?"

"Yeah. You already know what he likes, and you'll be in the kitchen later, anyway. Why not?"

"I haven't cooked in two months, though..." I mused, chewing on my lip.

"Do you really think he'll complain about anything you make for him?" she asked knowingly.

I blushed. "Probably not."

"Okay, now do me," she said, finishing the last button on my dress. I turned around and buttoned her dress up. The material itself differed from the rest of her wardrobe, too, hugging her voluptuous curves and adding to the allure. "And if everything goes well, you can come back here for dessert."

"Theresa!"

She laughed. "Just have fun. I'll have this mess cleaned up for you two when you get back."

"Do you have time for that?"

She looked at the clock and gasped. "I'm already late!" She snatched the tube of lipstick from the vanity.