Page 32 of Beyond

“These names are …fine,” said Star. “These names …are … lovely,” Star added, wonderingly.

He heaved a sigh of relief.

“Now, I have a question, and I hope it’s not intrusive. Are you three just going to hang about the apartment all the time?” I really hope not. It’s going to take a while to get used to these things. He hated feeling that way, because it seemed wrong, but on the other hand, the Dolls were … well … creepy.

“Oh no, milord Duke!” Star said with what sounded like a shocked gasp. “That would never do! There is a storage chamber behind the middle door of the common room. That is where we are, until needed.”

He wasn’t entirely sure that was any better, but … “Are you all right there?”

“It is where we belong,” Rose said simply. “Clothing belongs in a wardrobe. Dolls belong in a storage chamber.”

Ugh. But … all right.

“Well, now what are we supposed to do, Star?” he asked. “Is there somewhere we are supposed to be? Some function we are supposed to attend?”

Long silence. Finally Star spoke. “If … this one … may presume?”

“Presume away,” he replied, preferring this to utter servility.

“Milord Duke’s wardrobe is … inadequate by Court standards. This one could, if the Duke wishes, draw a bath, take the Duke’s measurements, and order luncheon to be brought up, and an adequate wardrobe will be delivered before the Court meets at dinner?”

He ran his hands through his hair and puffed out his cheeks, thinking this over. On the one hand, he didn’t want to be completely embarrassed, and if the Doll had noticed that his clothing was “inadequate,” then he might be the equivalent of a stablehand at a High Feast. Ludicrous. Maybe dangerously so, because the one thing he did not want to do was leave the impression that he was to be treated like trash.

Not good.

“Can I ask for modifications to that idea?” he said, finally.

“As you will,” all three of them said at once.

“An adequate but simplified wardrobe,” he stated. “Cut ornamentation to a bare minimum. Absolutely nothing that stands out. Austere, if you understand. Very conservative.”

The three of them then turned to face each other in a little huddle, and stood there in long silence for a very long time.

“Milord, what are they doing?” Beltran asked. The lad didn’t seem to be as nervous now, a fact that spoke well of him.

“Conferring with each other, I suppose?” he hazarded, just as Clover turned back to face them.

“This can be done,” the Doll stated. “And it can be done for the Duke’s companion—”

“Beltran,” the lad said firmly. “Call me Beltran. I’m the Duke’s Herald and acting secretary.”

“Ah!” Rose exclaimed. “Yes, this can be done for Beltran, now that we know your rank.”

“A conservative wardrobe will be even easier to fabricate,” said Star. “We will have it after luncheon.”

“Then let this be done,” he said, and felt some tension draining out of him. “Just one thing. Boots, not shoes.”

“As you will,” said Clover … with just a faint hint of disapproval.

He smiled. “Now about that bath—”

“If the Duke will come to the chamber—”

“And the Duke will undress himself, if you please,” he said firmly.

Was there a hint of a sigh?

“As you will,” said Star.