Page 58 (1/2)

hin, it felt like a breath of air against her body The silk clung to her bosoh it was not low cut, indeed the neckline was high, it wasshe had ever worn

Elena helped her put on the drawers…no, they were really trousers Wide, silken trousers like so low at her waist, leaving her sto out over her thighs and calves to her ankles It was a gar to a woned to hide her shape

This did nothing to hide her shape As Elena stepped away, Marietta was left facing herself in the mirror, and she was silenced Was it really her, barefoot, her body draped in cloth as fine as web? She could see the pale shape of her legs as sheof all, the dark shadohere the feasp, she reached down to put her hand over herself, to preserve her modesty, and at the same time realized that the stretch of the cloth over her bosom exposed not only the shape and pale color of her breasts, but also the darker circles of her nipples

“I cannot possibly wear this,” she whispered, appalled “I may as well be naked!”

Elena put her hands on her hips and met her eyes in the mirror “And you want to be a courtesan like your mother? I told Madame you would be too prudish I warned her that she could not expect you to be as brave as she” Her eyes narrowed “Maeve! Go and fetch Madahter refuses to wear the costume I have chosen”

Maeve, with a quick, uncolance at Marietta, rose reluctantly to her feet

Marietta knew then that this was a test If she did not wear the costume, if she did not cooperate, then they would disless cries of a spoiled child She could see it in their faces

“Very well,” she said through gritted teeth

Elena sirl picked up what looked like a robe made out of the same fine, pearl-colored silk and handed it reverently to the modiste Elena carried it forward and held it up for Marietta to slide her aro over the blouse and trousers Elena had known that all along She had si to see what Marietta would do

Evidently she had passed the test

The coat was just as thin and fine as the rest of the costuh to her skin—just As she walked, it drifted out behind her, so that if she wasn’t careful the unsecured front opened up, and her body was displayed for who

Would Max be watching? Marietta sighed It was hardly the sort of covering she was hoping for, but it would have to do She would just have to move very, very carefully

“Now,” Elena said in a rallying voice “Your hair!”

Maeve was hovering near the door “Should I still go and fetch Madame?” she asked tentatively

Elena frowned “Of course not, girl We areperfectly ithout her”