Three Peach Roses

Thomas

Chapter 4

After dinner, the Fodorovs and the sisters went the big drawing room where the King sat after dinner and gambled.

"Your Highness." Mahogany said softly, curtsying. Olga, who was sitting next to the King, frowned when she noticed Mahogany's immense good looks and seductive eyes.

"Where are you Ladies off to then?" King Dimitri asked.

"We are taking the Devereaux sisters for a walk around the gardens. They are so beautiful this time of evening, Your Highness." Valentina said respectfully.

"Yes. Thomas, Anton. Escort them" King Dimitri waved his hand and two of his friends stood. Sir Thomas Mikhailov was tall, fair young man with shiny blond hair and dark brown eyes. Magnolia smiled, dazzlingly, at him.

"My Lady." He said, offering her his arm. Sir Anton Kyzentsov was shorter than Thomas and slimmer He had a thin face with a constant sour expression. He reminded Marianne of an angry little rat. He followed Thomas and Magnolia out of the door. Mahogany flashed the King one last smile and linked her sister's arm, leading her out.

"Sir Anton is rather rodent like, isn't he!" She whispered, making Marianne giggle prettily.

The Violet River Palace gardens were absolutely breath taking. The Party walked through the Rose Garden which was a maze of gravel paths surrounded by magnificently kept roses in every colour- red, pink, white and peach. There was also a large willow tree with a stone bench beneath it, carved with roses.

"Let's sit here for a minute." Magnolia said, spotting the bench. She sat down delicately, followed by Sir Thomas.

"So, where did you say your family came from?" Sir Thomas asked.

"My Father is French and my Mother is Italian We were all born here though, myself and my siblings. We live in Polzen, by the sea. It's very beautiful."

"Like you!" Sir Thomas said, flirting. Magnolia smiled and blushed rose pink.

"Sir Thomas!" She said, giggling.

"How many siblings do you have?" He asked. Sir Thomas knew that the Devereaux family was large but he'd only heard of the eldest boys, Harry and Marcus, who had been the main leaders of the rebellion.

"7. There are my two sisters and also 5 brothers. Mahogany is the eldest and the youngest is little Julian, he's just a baby." Sir Thomas looked impressed.

"You have a very fertile family!" He said lightly. "You must be very fertile too!" He continued in a more playful manner. Magnolia gasped, mocking him.

"I'm afraid I wouldn't know. I am a virtuous woman, Sir Thomas!"

That night Mahogany lit a small candle which gave the room a very soft glow.

"It is important we tell each other everything." She whispered. "We need to stick together." Her sister nodded in agreement.

"And I think we should have meetings like this often, making notes of our plans." Mahogany continued. Marianne got up quietly and went to her trunk.

"I have an empty notebook we can use, and some ink." Magnolia settled down on the end of the bed.

"Sir Thomas was very flirtatious today." She announced, speaking softly.

"He's only useful to get closer to the King. You must become his friend but for Goodness sake nothing more, he's not worth it!" Mahogany answered.

"I promise." Magnolia said, holding her hand on her heart. Mahogany thought for a minute.

"We need a plan." Magnolia and Marianne agreed.

"We need to become close with the King and then we need to convince him to forgive our family."

Marianne spoke up "We need to get Harry to court."

"Yes. And we have no time to waste. Magnolia, you must work on Sir Thomas. Marianne, watch and listen to everything and also try to become friends with Olga." Marianne and Magnolia looked shocked.

"Olga?" Marianne repeated.

"Yes, Olga. If you can become one of her ladies you will be around the King. Natalia told me she loves French poetry and she is fluent in French, as are you." Mahogany said.

"So are you!" Marianne spluttered, defensively. It was true, all the sisters were fluent in French, Italian, English and Russian.

"Yes but poetry bores us!" Mahogany replied with a smile.

"And what will you do?" Magnolia asked her sister. There was only a year between her and Mahogany but sometimes it seemed like much more.

"After we get into the main group my main focus will be Harold Chernov." She said.

"The King's advisor?" Magnolia asked, surprised.

"Yes. Everything goes by him. He would be very valuable." She mused.

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