Vixens. Bertrice Small

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СКАЧАТЬ is Fortune’s youngest daughter,” she shouted to them, and they smiled, nodded, and bowed to Fancy. “She is called Fancy.” Cynara turned to her cousin. “This is Rohana, and her sister, Toramalli, who have been with Grandmama since her birth.”

      “My mother has spoken lovingly of you both to me,” Fancy said.

      “Our lady has read to us each letter your mother sent. We know you well, mistress, and are sorry for your troubles,” Toramalli said quietly. “Rohana and I are at your service.” She bowed again as did her twin sister.

      Fancy reached out, and taking Toramalli’s hands in hers, pressed them first to her forehead and then to her heart. “Thank you,” she said.

      “Aiii, you have been well taught,” Toramalli said in an approving tone. Rohana smiled at Fancy, nodding in favorable agreement with her sibling. “And you do not shout at us as does the duke’s high-flown daughter.”

      “But you never seem to hear me if I speak in a normal tone,” Cynara protested volubly, stung by their words.

      “We hear what we wish to hear,” Rohana spoke up. “It is a privilege, my lady, of our advanced age,” and then she chuckled at the surprised look on Cynara’s beautiful face. “You think because you are Stuart everyone must pay attention, but it is not so.”

      “May we show Fancy Grandmama’s rooms?” Diana said politely.

      The sisters nodded in unison and ushered the trio inside.

      “These rooms were our great-great-grandmother’s once long ago,” Diana said quietly. “The one we all are said to resemble.”

      “My father was born in these rooms,” Cynara said importantly.

      “Your father was born in the bed in which your cousin from the Colonies now sleeps,” Toramalli said. “Queen’s Malvern was not our princess’s house at that time. It was her home. Lord Adam and Lady Skye ruled here then. You do not know everything, my lady.”

      “But didn’t the king and the queen come to see my papa when he was born?” Cynara ventured.

      “They did!” Toramalli confirmed. “King James and Queen Anne were visiting nearby, and they came to see your papa. They were well pleased by him. King James took him from your mother, and after he had held him for a time, Queen Anne took him, scolding her mate that he was not holding the infant properly. Prince Henry, his father, had arranged to have your father inherit Lord de Marisco’s titles as he had no son. The old king said, however, he should be a duke not an earl. Aye! I remember it well. I told my lady that the boy was a true Mughal for the way he howled when he wanted his own way. And a not-quite-royal Stuart, your grandmama replied.” Toramalli laughed with her memories. It was a high reedy sound.

      “Rohana and Toramalli have lots of wonderful stories about Grandmama and Uncle Charlie and all the family,” Diana said. “You must get them to tell you, for they know things even your mama did not.”

      “There won’t be much time before we go to court,” Cynara said.

      “We aren’t going to court until December,” Diana replied. “It is just September. There is more than enough time.”

      “Fancy has to have a new wardrobe made,” Cynara said.

      “Why?” Fancy asked. “I have brought my entire trousseau with me from Maryland, and the Williamsburg tailors are most up-to-date.”

      Cynara shook her head. “Perhaps for Williamsburg, and perhaps here in the country, but not for court. We must be shown to our best advantage at court; after all, we are going husband hunting.”

      “Not me!” Fancy said emphatically. “I neither want nor need another husband, thank you.”

      “Cousin!” Cynara was shocked. “You are sixteen and next year will be seventeen. If you do not catch another husband soon, you will be way too old for any gentleman.”

      “I don’t care,” Fancy said bluntly. “Men cannot be trusted, Cyn. I have learned that from my own bitter experience. If you don’t marry them, you can retain your freedom, and freedom is, I think, more valuable than any husband.”

      “Gracious!” Diana exclaimed, both shocked and fascinated by her cousin’s declaration.

      “A woman can have her freedom and a man, if she is clever,” Cynara said with a wisdom that was beyond her years.

      “Hee hee hee!” cackled Rohana. “Her Mughal blood shows, Sister.”

      “If you have come to see your grandmother’s rooms,” Toramalli said sharply, “then look about you, and be on your way.”

      The three girls walked slowly through the rooms, which were very familiar to Cynara and Diana. Toramalli showed them the boxes of jewelry that Jasmine possessed, a great and famous collection. Besides necklaces, rings, bracelets, chains, pins, and earbobs, there were also bags of loose stones. Cynara held out her hand and waggled it.

      “See my ruby ring? Grandmama had it made for me on my last birthday. She let me choose the stone I would have, and I picked this one. I find the tear an interesting shape. It is a pigeon’s-blood ruby. Its color is so rich. I do love it! Do you have anything like it?”

      “I have little jewelry, but for the pearls my mother gave me for my wedding,” Fancy answered. “I do not think I will ever wear them again for I like not the memories they evoke.”

      “Ohh,” Cynara said, “may I have them?”

      “Lady, you are much too bold!” Toramalli scolded. She turned to Fancy. “Remember that your mama gave you your pearls, child. Keep them, and do not associate any other memories with them but your dear mama,” she advised.

      “Those who do not ask, do not get,” Cynara said sullenly.

      “Such common greed does not become a young lady of your family,” Toramalli said quietly. “Now, you have seen your grandmother’s apartment. Go along and show Mistress Fancy the rest of this wonderful house.”

      “You would think at her age she would be content to sit by the fire,” Cynara grumbled as they walked downstairs to the hall. “She really does get above herself.”

      “That isn’t fair,” Diana quickly said. “Toramalli and Rohana have been with Grandmother her whole life. They may be servants, but they are privileged servants. They are family actually more than servitors. And they miss their menfolk. Adali in particular.”

      “My mother told me about Adali,” Fancy said.

      “He is dead now,” Diana said, “and Toramalli’s husband, Fergus, and his cousin Red Hugh who always guarded Grandmama. All who have served our grandmother, but for Toramalli and Rohana, are gone.”

      “They should be gone, too,” Cynara muttered. “Despite their vast ages, they are as sharp-eyed as they ever were.”

      “And sharp of ear too it would seem,” Fancy teased her cousin.

      “Come on, and I’ll show you where everyone is buried,” Cynara said cheerfully.

      They СКАЧАТЬ