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Pandora looked dully at the red wax seal on the envelope, stamped with an elaborate fa nice to her, she didn’t want to read it If he’d written so not nice, she didn’t want to read that either

"By the holy poker," Ida exclaimed, "just open it!"

Reluctantly Pandora complied As she pulled a small folded note from the envelope, a tiny, fuzzy object fell out Reflexively she yelped, thinking it was an insect But at second glance, she realized it was a bit of fabric Picking it up gingerly, she saw that it was one of the decorative felt leaves fro Berlin wool slipper It had been carefully snipped off

My lady,

Your slipper is being held for ransoain, co room For every hour you delay, an additional embellishment will be removed

--St Vincent

Now Pandora was exasperated Why was he doing this? Was he trying to draw her into another arguo downstairs for a hostage negotiation," Pandora said shortly "Would you help put hts?"

"Yes, milady"

The lavender silk dress had been crushed and crue into a fresh day gown of plain-woven yellow faille This frock wasn’t as fine as the first one, but it was lighter and more comfortable, without so many underskirts Fortunately her elaborate hairstyle had been so well anchored and pinned that it needed minimal repair

"Will you take out the pearl pins?" Pandora asked "They’re too nice for this dress"

"But they look pretty," Ida protested

"I don’t want to look pretty"

"What if his lordship proposes?"

"He won’t I’ve already made it clear that if he did, I wouldn’t accept"