Page 55 of The Favourite

“At one time or another,” he confirmed.

She gave her head a little shake. “I think it will be a difficult task to find you a larger suite than this. I know whole families of noble birth housed in smaller rooms than yours.” Her tone was faintly accusatory.

“You seem to forget my position as an important foreign ambassador at court. Besides, it is a question of priorities,” he said firmly. “I am simply not willing to compromise when it comes to such things, and neither should you. Which brings me to my next point. I have ordered an urgent fitting with my tailor.”

“Oh, yes,” Jane replied without interest. She appeared transfixed by his shoe collection. “You must own close to a dozen pairs,” she muttered, sounding quite scandalized.

“I own at least two dozen,” he corrected her before clarifying, “and the tailor’s appointment is for you.”

That caught her attention. “For me?” She wheeled about. He nodded. “But I have no need of a new gown.”

He winced. “My dear Jane, you have a most pressing need for an entirely new wardrobe.”

“I? But I assure you—?”

“None of your gowns were selected with the diligence that ought to be employed in such matters.”

“Diligence?” she repeated blankly. “Alisander, I assure you the tailors I employ are always prominent ones at court. In any case, I do not believe that anyone has ever accused me of being a poor dresser.”

“You are not a poor dresser; you are merely an adequate one. You dress simply to fit the occasion. All of your court gowns could have been designed with any prominent noblewoman in mind.”

Jane looked bewildered, actually bewildered. “Well, what is wrong with that?”

“What is wrong with that?” He felt winded. “They were constructed without any consideration for your complexion, figure, and the shade of your hair,” he explained carefully. “And I find that unforgivable.”

She looked taken aback. “If I had some stand-out attribute, such as extraordinary height, then I could understand your reasoning, but there is nothing remarkable about any of my features.” She broke off, seeing him clutch his brow and sink onto a velvet-topped trunk. “What is wrong?” she asked in alarm.

“Jane, stop, I beg of you! Not in this sacred place. I cannot listen to such heresy. It pains me beyond belief.”

“Are you teasing me right now, my lord?” she asked, sitting down heavily on the trunk next to his. “Because I warn you, I am tired and I am weary and I am starting to suspect I am no fit sparring partner for you, even on a good day.”

He turned and looked at her consideringly. “You are my sparring partner of choice, Jane,” he replied, “but rest assured on this subject, I am not remotelyteasing. Now, that you bear my name, I cannot countenance you drifting about the place, dressed as you do.” He eyed her sternly. “We de Balons do not fade into the background, not at any cost. Even the saintliest of our number,” he added thoughtfully, “dared defy a king.”

“Is it your custom, then, to dress your mistresses?” she asked, and something about her tone had him narrowing his eyes at her.

“No,” he answered truthfully. “And I am starting to think that notion of mine was hardly helpful where you are concerned.” He eyed her frowning. “Henceforth, we will forego all talk of mistresses, agreed?”

He thought she gave a faint snort, or something as close to a snort as someone with impeccable manners could approach. “You are my viscountess, Jane, and a reflection of me, whether you like it or not. In this matter, I want you to put yourself in my hands, both figuratively and literally. Do you think you can bring yourself to do that for me?”

She sighed and closed her eyes. “I am willing to concede; I am no expert in matters of fashion. If you can procure me some privacy and a bath for the next hour, then I promise, I will not object to some new court gowns.”

Victory secured; he stood up at once. “But of course, nothing could be easier. I think I hear Davis’s clumsy tread upon the floorboards even now. I will see the tub is brought into the bedchamber for you to bathe.”

15

Jane felt a lot better after her bath. Alisander was as good as his word, and she was left entirely in peace to wallow in the large, round wooden tub. Not only was it filled with hot water and herbs, but a chain was suspended from the ceiling with tented curtains, ensuring her privacy throughout, even while she could hear people hurrying in and out of the room, unpacking and lighting a fire in the hearth.

“Is that you, Ayleth?” she called out when she thought it finally time to emerge.

“Aye, it’s me,” the servant replied dourly. “I’m putting away the last of your possessions. His lordship said you’re to have this walnut chest given over for your own usage.”

Jane swept a curtain aside. “That was good of him,” she murmured, eyeing the handsome piece of furniture which was both carved and inlaid.

“You’ve got doubles of your vanity items.” Ayleth said avoiding looking at her, and Jane knew she must have recognized the pieces.

“Those are to be wrapped in cloth and put away in a bottom drawer. I packed Helen’s comb and mirror to put up for Celestia when she is older.”

Ayleth’s rigid stance relaxed. “Oh,” she said, picking up the ivory comb and running a thumb along the carving. Then, quietly, “That were a good thought.”