Page 31 of Claiming the Tower (Council Mysteries #1)

Hereswith glanced at the frock, then nodded, standing and coming over to get dressed.

Bess stood back at first, but as Hereswith was working on the corset, she offered, “An extra set of hands?” Hereswith nodded, and Bess found she quite liked the process of dressing Hereswith.

It was certainly vastly more pleasant than helping one of her previous employers.

It also gave her enough time to think about what she wanted to say.

“There’s no, erm, easy way to make the money even.

That’s the thing I get caught up on. But I think if there’s a way I’d have confidence that I had my own resources.

Enough for the sort of life I’ve had so far. That would be a help.”

“I am aiming, dear one, at several steps better. The sort that would give you enough income, should anything happen to me. You could set up your own home, a small business of some kind, take in a lodger or three for your ongoing expenses. That you would have choices. Your previous employers have been grasping about that to keep you close. I want you to know that we’re choosing to be together. Both of us. That you have options.”

“You’re very generous.” Bess took a step back after finishing the last buttons.

“I am exceedingly selfish in this matter, I find.” Hereswith turned around, her skirts and petticoats swinging.

“I find I rather like the idea of knowing that you are with me because you want to be. Because you have other options, with rather less in the way of my wittering on about minute points of diplomacy and political argument. Or whatever else might be annoying about me. I do have a list of such things in my head.”

“I, on the other hand, find you charming, interesting, and, mmm, certainly inclining me to your bed and your company in private as much as might be arranged,” Bess said. “Here, sit down. Let me see what I can do with your hair.”

She was pleased that Hereswith did, with no argument.

Bess was not the most skilled at this, but she had done it before, for some of the ladies she’d assisted, if their lady’s maid was not available.

And Hereswith’s dark hair was glorious, thick and glossy.

Perhaps she’d share whatever oil or balm she used.

Perhaps Bess would figure out a way to make the asking into a treat of its own.

No matter that right now, she began brushing it out, beginning at the bottom to avoid painful snarls.

“Watching you get dressed, that makes me wonder. What do women wear to a Challenge?” Bess could see several ways that might go, and she was not at all sure what applied.

“An interesting question. Is it clothing for duelling or some specific magic? Or is it a matter of dressing fashionably? And if so, in what mode?” Hereswith was well-trained not to move her head while someone was working on her hair, but Bess felt the tiny shifts there.

“A question for Magistra Ventry, even if the idea is terrifying.”

“The kind of thing where you might go at it by asking how to be respectful, but also practical?” Bess suggested. “Though you’ve obviously given that some thought. Shoes. I suspect you want to make sure of the right sort of shoes.”

Hereswith snorted, but it led her into talking about her usual sort of clothing and her usual shoes, both for a day in Trellech and for more visible diplomacy.

That got Bess through brushing out her hair, smoothing it with charms, and then braiding, coiling, and pinning it all neatly.

About the time she finished, Hereswith’s voice got softer. “Are you managing me?”

Bess grinned. “Yes. Do you mind? I can try to stop.”

“Oh, no. Please do it some more. It’s rather a delight not to have to think through all of it on my own. Papa knows many things, but not dresses. Or shoes.”

“If you were going about in whatever an Anglo-Saxon queen wore, I suspect he’d have more thoughts. Symbolism and signs of power and such,” Bess said thoughtfully. “I wonder if you might get something made up for when you’re here, in your rooms, if any of them are actually comfortable.

“Tunics and shifts, I believe. Linen, silk, wool. I don’t know, it might be pleasant if I could convince my dressmaker to give it a try.

” Hereswith sounded like she thought that a fine distraction.

Bess considered what it would take for her to sew something.

It should be simple enough lines, in that case, if she could get the measurements and some fabric.

It made Bess think she should ask something else. “Will your father— will he notice? Your brothers. If I stay here.”

Hereswith, to her credit, didn’t just dismiss the question.

“Papa’s not inclined to notice things that aren’t actually under his nose.

And my brothers won’t be here. I think if we play it— right now, that you’re here for Papa.

That once we know what happens with the Challenge, we can make choices from there.

If I am successful, having someone who can be here with him will be even more important.

And if I’m not, well, having someone with him is still helpful. You don’t mind?”

“He is much easier to deal with than many people. Mind, I’m sure it helps that I enjoy his historical stories and interests.” Bess leaned down to kiss the top of Hereswith’s head. “You should eat, though. If you have a busy day.”

“I do. But I like this.” Hereswith leaned her head back against Bess’s stomach for just a second before she straightened and stood. “I like this, with you, very much.”