Amanda Scott - [Dangerous 04] by Dangerous Lady

court, and our ladies must guard even their correspondence. As a result of recent difficulties, the queen becomes quite furious if she thinks anyone has written so much as a word about what goes on here.”
    “I quite understand, ma’am. I grew up in diplomatic circles, you know.”
    “Yes, Letitia, but you also represent a group who are politically opposed to the government in power. Her Majesty would be most displeased to learn that you had repeated things you’ve heard at court to any member of that group.”
    Choosing her words with care, Letty said, “My parents also would be displeased, ma’am. They both warned me—not that they thought it truly necessary to do so—that in whatever concerns Her Majesty, my lips must remain sealed.”
    “Excellent,” the duchess said, nodding. “If you are prepared to begin at once, then I think you should do so. Tomorrow and every Thursday thereafter, Her Majesty will hold a drawing room. On such occasions, she likes to have all her ladies in attendance, so it would perhaps be as well if you can learn to find your way about the palace before then.”
    “I was aware that I might have to begin today, ma’am,” Letty said calmly. “I brought another dress with me, and my people can fetch more if necessary. I believe, however, that I am not required to move permanently into the palace.”
    “That is correct,” the duchess said. “Maids of honor no longer receive bed and board as part of their compensation, but you will receive board wages and you will have an apartment to use here. Before you leave the palace you must always ascertain that Her Majesty does not further require your presence. You should know, too, that if you are late or fail to appear when you should, Her Majesty will instantly dismiss you.”
    “Yes ma’am, I understand.”
    “Excellent. For today, I assume that you have brought a dress appropriate for an afternoon at court. You must decide if it will serve to dine with the royal party later, if Her Majesty invites you to do so. Since this is your first day, no one will be too critical, and there is little difference in the required dress since Her Majesty encourages a feminine display of décolletage at all times, not just in evening dress.”
    Well aware of that fact, knowing that Victoria was quite vain about her lovely shoulders, Letty had chosen her court dresses accordingly.
    When the duchess dismissed her, she and Miss Dibble found the same footman on the landing outside the sitting room, waiting to show them to Letty’s apartment. That chamber, on the third and uppermost floor of the palace, proved to be a bleak cubicle, barely large enough for the narrow bed, dressing table, stool, and wardrobe that comprised its meager furnishings. Lucas, standing stiffly outside the door, contributed much more importance to the room than Letty felt it deserved.
    However, she wasted no time in criticism but changed quickly to her second gown, an elegant confection of pale green silk, made very full in the skirt with a pointed waist in the antique style. The heart-shaped bodice—cut low and well off the shoulders—clung tightly to her figure. Around her neck she wore a simple pearl necklace. Matching drops graced her ears, and over her long white glove on her right wrist she wore a single-strand pearl bracelet.
    Having removed her straw bonnet and smoothed her coiffure, Jenifry pinned a small, beribboned lace cap at the back of her head, saying, “You’ll want to wear a more elaborate cap in the evening, won’t you, Miss Letty?”
    “Yes, but Her Majesty will dismiss us at some point to dress for dinner,” Letty said. “Will I do for now, Elvira?”
    “Very elegant,” Miss Dibble said, nodding her approval. “Your hair does want to curl rather too much here in London, but that cannot be helped. Pinch your cheeks a bit, my dear.”
    Letty shook her head. “I cannot go about pinching them all afternoon. In any event, I doubt that anyone but you will