The Fire Lord's Lover - 1 by Kathryne Kennedy Page A

sitting in the middle of it. Another door led into a small sitting room, which held another door that led into an empty bedchamber with two bare bedsteads. Beyond the sitting room lay the master bedchamber, boasting a large box bed with black drapery, a wardrobe, and her own trunks. A small door led to a washroom, with a wooden seat above the chamber pot and a washstand. She hadn't been sure what to expect after the glorious richness within the rest of the palace, but the austerity of the apartments rivaled that of her boarding rooms. At least there, furnishings from home had surrounded her.
       The only light came from the fireplaces, so Cass lit a candle and viewed her rooms again. They did not improve with illumination.
       "The general don't like frippery," piped Gwen. "He says it makes ye soft."
       "I see. Does he not like servants as well?"
       "He makes do for himself, 'cause he says—"
       "It makes him soft; yes, Gwen, I begin to understand." Cass walked over to the bed and sat on the edge of it with a bounce. Hard, of course. "Well, at least he allows servants to make the bed and lay the fire. I daresay I'm glad you came with me. I shall have someone to undo my buttons."
       Gwen frowned. "I don't have much practice with those, my lady, but I'm a fast learner."
       Cassandra eyed Gwen, a sudden brilliant idea forming in her head. "I believe you are. I find I'm in need of servants, Gwen. How would you like to work for me?"
       The child rocked back on her heels. "Oh, my lady. Ye can't go hiring slaves. The servants won't stand for it."
       Cass swept her head about the room. "I don't see any here to complain."
       "But, but… the Imperial Lord won't like it."
       And Cassandra certainly couldn't afford to anger him any further. "Well then. I shan't officially pay you. But if you are to attend me, I shall have to buy you new clothes and fatten you up a bit, for a lady cannot have you waiting on her looking as you do now."
       Gwen screwed up her face. "I suppose not."
       "That's settled, then. In fact, I believe I shall visit the kitchens tomorrow, for surely I will need more than one helper."
       "If… if yer sure, my lady."
       "Quite. Now, for your first instruction." Cass squatted, held down her hoops, and showed her back. "Take one side of the cloth and push the button through while gently tugging on the other side."
       "I know how," Gwen said in disgust. "Just don't have much practice." The girl's little fingers started fumbling, and Cass suppressed a giggle because it tickled. "Lor', there must be a hundred of them, lady."
       Gwen loosed her giggle. "I'm sure you're up to the task."
       "Oh yes. This is much easier than turning a pig roast."
       Cassandra continued to laugh while Gwen helped her undress. The lacing of her stays proved too difficult for the child to undo, so Cass just left it on over her chemise. She'd purchased a lovely nightgown to please her new husband, but despite Mor'ded's assurances, she felt sure the general would be spending the night with his mistress so it wouldn't signify anyway.
       Cass crawled up on the hard bed and yawned.
       "Is there anything else I can do for ye, lady?"
       "No, dear, I think it's time you were off to bed yourself. Tomorrow we will see about making up the servants' bedchamber for you, but tonight I'm afraid you'll have to go back to the kitchens."
       "Oh, I can sleep anywheres. Sometimes I go to the kennels with the dogs when it's cold."
       Cassandra widened her eyes in horror. "Then we shall have to give you a good scrubbing before you return."
       Gwen returned her look of horror. "But the water will make me sick."
       "I promise it shan't. The nuns at my school taught me better."
       Gwen humphed, already having given her opinion of Cass's education, but dragged her feet to the door. "I suppose," she sighed. "It will be hard to work for ye."
       "I suppose." Cass