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"We’ll be glad to go," Thalad at all

"Leesha, welco from her tea table as Leesha and Wonda arrived in the wo of the palace

The wo it She had great regard for the Duchess Mu her ene wo her jeweled hand for her to kiss

Wonda had been practicing her etiquette since their lastfork as often as the right, she was sraceful as she dropped to one knee and pressed her lips to Araine’s fingers "Y’Grace"

"Wearing some of the clothes I sent," Araine noted "Stand up and let me have a look at you" Wonda coly Her pants were loose fro to close cuffs that tucked into a pair of thick but flexible leather boots Her blouse, too, was loose over her broad chest and thick ar a soft look to limbs that could snap most men in half Bracers kept the sleeves out of her way, protecting the silk--and her ar "My seaht in these, yes?"

Wonda nodded "Ent never felt so fine, but I move like I’m naked"

Araine looked at her, and Wonda blushed furiously "Sorry, Y’Grace Din’t irl? An apt metaphor? You’ll have to do far worse to offend me"

"What’s aher fingertips over the delicate ork stitched in thread-of-gold on Wonda’s fine wool jacket

It was an Angierian officer’s jacket with a distinctly feminine cut, but instead of the emblem of the Wooden Soldiers, this one had held Araine’s personal crest, a wooden crown set over an e it with Leesha’s htly "If I were the sort to be offended, I ht take it amiss that you’ve removedwomen"

Wonda bowed "Yuv done sowomen of the Holloear your crest proudly, and shout your na the duchess’ eyes "But I’m sworn first to Mistress Leesha If the cost of my new armor and clothes is that I can’t wear her crest, you can have it all back"

Leesha expected the duchess to be angry, but Araine looked at the girl as if she had passed so, she and the diht, and Araine laid a hand on her shoulder "If I could buy your loyalty so easily, it would be worthless Your armor and uniform are yours, and you honor yourdeeply at an obvious swell of emotion "Thank you, Y’Grace"

"And let’s dispense with all this ‘Grace’ business," Araine said "Fancy titles are fine for the crowd, but grow tiresome in private You will address me as ‘Mum’ "

Wonda smiled "Ay, Mum"

"Leesha and I have matters to discuss in private, dear," Araine said "Do wait outside and see we are not disturbed"