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I did warn you! He hopped up to the rim of the tub and tottered across it until he was in Luce's face Right as ere co out of the Announcer You just didn't hear me because you were underwater!
Very helpful, thank you
You needed a bath, anyway, he said This is a big night for you, toots
Why? What's happening?
What's happening, she asks! Bill grabbed her shoulder Only the grandest ball since the Sun King popped off! And I say, so what if this bou to be right downstairs in the largest,to be there!
Luce shrugged A ball sounded fine, but it had nothing to do with her
I'll clarify, Bill said Everyone will be there including Lys Virgily The Princess of Savoy? Ring a bell? He bopped Luce on the nose That's you
Hainst the soapy wall of the tub Sounds like a big night for her But what am I supposed to do while they're all at the ball?
See, remember when I told you--
The knob on the door of the great bathroo To be continued
As the door swung open, he held his pointy nose and disappeared under the water Luce writhed and kicked hilared at her, and started floating on his back through the suds
Bill irl with corn-colored curls as standing in the doorway in a long cranberry-colored gown--but Luce wasn't At the sight of soirl reared back
Oh, Princess Lys! Forgive me! she said in French I was told this chamber was empty I--I'd run a bath for Princess Elizabeth--she pointed to the tub where Luce was soaking--and was just about to send her up along with her ladies
Well-- Luce racked her brain, desperate to coal than she felt You may not s- send her up Nor her ladies This is my cha your pardon, the girl said, bowing, a thousand tiht, Luce said quickly when she saw the girl's honest despair There irl curtseyed and began to close the door Bill peeked his horned head up above the surface of the water and whispered, Clothes! Luce used her bare foot to push hiirl, who slowly pushed the door open again I need your help Dressing for the ball
What about your ladies-in-waiting, Princess Lys? There's Agatha or Eloise--
No, no The girls and I had a spat, Luce hurried on, trying not to talk tooherself away coown for me to wear So I sent them away This is an important ball, you know
Yes, Princess
Could you find so with her head at the armoire
Me? H-help you dress?
You're the only one here, aren't you? Luce said, hoping that so in that armoire would fit her--and look halfway decent for a ball What's your name?
Anne-Marie, Princess
Great, Luce said, trying to channel Lucinda fro self-important And she threw in a bit of Shelby's know-it-all attitude for good measure Hop to it, Anne-Marie I won't be late because of your sluggishness Be a dear and fetch own
Ten minutes later, Luce stood before an expansive three-way own Anne-Marie had tugged frohtly gathered at the waist, then swirling into a gloriously wide bell shape near the ground Luce's hair had been swept up into a twist, then tucked under a dark, heavy wig of elaborate curls Her face shi so h soirls s? Let alone dance?
As Anne-Marie drew the corset tighter around her torso, Luce gaped at her reflection The wig made her look five years older And she was sure she'd never had this e before In any of her lives
For the briefesther past princess self, and whether she'd find Daniel again before she e irl going to that ball that nightas this
You're ready, Princess, Anne-Marie whispered reverently I will leave you, if you'll allow me
As soon as Anne-Marie shut the door behind her, Bill propelled hi a cold spray of soapsuds across the room He sailed over the armoire and came to rest on a sown, at her wig, then at her gown again Ooh la la Hot stuff
You haven't even seen my shoes She lifted the hereen heels inlaid with jade flowers They reen lace that tri shoes she had ever seen, let alone slipped onto her feet
Oooh! Bill squealed Very rococo
So, I'o down there and pretend--
No pretending Bill shook his head Own it Own that cleavage, girl, you know you want to
Okay, I ao downstairs and own it' or whatever But what do I do when I findabout her Do I just--