Bloodied Lilies

Chapter 2

Adelia woke to someone knocking on her door. She was running on her reserves with barely three hours of sleep after carefully disposing of the assassin's body last night.

The wood in the fireplace was now in embers. Only some smoking fragments of her nightgown wedged between the logs remained as evidence of what had occurred. Her blade had been wiped clean and hidden safely where it wouldn't be found by anyone who didn't know where to look.

Adelia opened the door to see a plump woman with a round face and linen apron standing with a smile. The woman's hair was thin and greying, knotted into a loose bun.

"Yes?" Adelia asked.

"Milady," the woman said, her smile warm and brown eyes kind. "The master sent me to help ya get ready. I ain't no lady's maid but all the other servants be boys and we couldn't jolly send 'em. Name's Marly and I work in the kitchen. One of Rainford's finest chefs, if I say so me'self."

"Ah." Adelia moved to let Marly in.

Marly moved straight to the wardrobe, probably having orders from the duke with what Adelia was to wear. She continued to speak merrily.

"Six months ago, Lady Rowena was still living ere'," Marly sighed almost wistfully. "We all thought she'd last. She was clever, that woman."

It seemed like Marly had been fond of Lady De'fel.

"What was she like?" Adelia asked.

She knew little of Rowena De'fel other than she was known to be the most beautiful woman in Aretha. She was the daughter of a marquis and had an endless line of suitors until Duke Rainford got her hand from his status alone.

"She was the prettiest woman I ever seen. Ruby lips. Bright green eyes. Hair's spun gold." Marly pulled out a navy blue dress as she spoke. "Her wit was sharp as glass, the lass. Kept us all on our toes. The master liked her well 'nough. But she was too smart for her own good."

"I see," Adelia replied, unsure what else to say. 

"Nough bout her. Now he's married to ya, milady." Marly handed her the navy dress and moved to unlace the nightgown Adelia had changed into after her clean up. She'd had a lady's maid back at home so she was used to this much. "Yer pretty too. Never quite seen anyone as pale as ya."

"Yer a quiet one, aren'cha?" Marly continued. It appeared she never stopped speaking. "Which is good an' all but ya be careful the master doesn't get too bored. Better he be angry than bored, that ya need to remember."

When Adelia had stepped into her gown and all the laces were done up, she was pushed in front of the mirror.

The navy dress was again, stark against her complexion. Her eyes were a little pouchy from lack of sleep but it was nothing too noticeable. The sleeves of the gown was tied with multiple bowed ribbons and the skirt layers were puffed a little overtly. Silver embellishments were woven into every open space and frilly lace hemmed the neckline. It was more gaudy than elegant, which didn't seem to fit the duke's usual tastes.

As if seeing the confusion in her eyes, Marly spoke up.

"Lord Northham's coming today. He's a real oaf but he supports the master. The master has fun leading him round in circles. Anyhow, Lord Northam likes things over the top."

Adelia nodded. She was going to be shown off as a prize. It was the whole reason she was here.

"The master wants yer hair let down. To show off the colour," Marly said, weaving red spider lilies into the silver strands above her right ear.