Serafina was a young woman, but she wasn’t stupid. A knowing look cross her face. She bowed and said, “I shall inquire if this income is beyond the Cathedral bookkeeper’s eye.”
“That would be lovely, thank you,” Allegra said. “Oh, when we arrive at Borro, would you look into finding Nadira a local boy? She isn’t as young as she used to be, and she could use a little help. Get someone quick and eager to please.”
“Of course, Your Excellency.”
Allegra didn’t bother to correct her secretary this time.
“Is there anything else?”
At that moment, Captain Rainier darkened her door. She smiled up at him, relieved to see a friendly face who’d want nothing from her, and said to Serafina, “That’ll be all, thank you.”
She curtsied, again, and left the room. She did stop to curtsy at Rainier, and then scurried out of the room. Allegra motioned for Rainier to close the door and he did. He leaned against it for a moment before asking, “Are you using me as an excuse to hide from well-wishers for a few moments?”
“Absolutely!”
Rainier laughed, a deep, rich sound. “You should have sent a servant to fetch me. I would have rescued you hours ago.”
Allegra made a dismissive gesture. “There are so many things to arrange before I leave. I might as well get them done.”
Rainier eyed her face before asking, “You look tired.”
“That is because I didn’t find my bed until almost four this morning. I had so many letters to write. Serafina brought over two apprentices and we wrote letters all night. My eyes still ache.” She yawned into the back of her hand. “As do the bones in my fingers. I cannot wait to be back at Borro in my riding trousers and out of these clothes.”
Rainier walked over and took up the chair across from her desk. “I never understood why keeping up with fashion was so important here. They all wear robes. Why would they care how others dressed? I’m stuck in the uniform regardless, but at least it’s comfortable at times.”
Allegra eyed him in his officer’s uniform for the Holy Father’s Own Consort Guard. The green jacket was clean, and the metal decorative buttons on the black braiding were shiny and well maintained. The metal buttons that held the jacket in place, however, were more worn, a result of constant handling. The Captain’s rank decorative cuffs were still black, though had faded a touch in the sun.
His red sash with its long tassels was expertly tied at his waist. He wasn’t wearing his sword belt, however, and it seemed out of place not to have it resting over top the sash like normal.
His trousers were probably once regulation issue, but were now customized to suit his active commission. The dark green wool trousers matched his jacket, but had brown leather sewn into the inseam to protect against the constant wear from riding. He was sporting his tall riding boots, too, and they were buffed so well she was sure she could apply lip color in the toes if she had to. Not that she ever wore lip coloring, of course. This was her natural color of lips. At least, that’s what she told anyone who asked.
“I came to ask if you’d like to meet the Holy Father’s Consorts. Everyone’s packing, so it’s a good time to come meet them all.”
Allegra pushed herself up from her chair. “I could use the exercise.”
She locked several documents, along with her journal, in her desk drawer before shoving her hand holding the key into one of the slits on the side of her voluminous skirts. She deposited the key into the secret pockets that were tied about her waist.
“Two days on the job and you are already dealing in secrets?” Rainier asked.
“My dear Captain, the entire purpose of this job is to horde secrets until I can wield them like daggers in the night.”
Rainier smiled. “If you ever get tired of bossing around nobility, there’ll always be a job for you with the Consorts. We could use your skills.”
“If I ever run out of money, I’ll be sure to speak to you first.”
They walked outside and along the cobblestoned road. This part of Orsini was spotless. Every street corner had two children with a bucket, brush, and shovel to clean up dung and garbage. Not a scrap of debris or fleck of dirt was to be found on the stones, lest a cardinal’s robes become mired in filth.
The stables were behind the great buildings, out of sight and smell. The poor weren’t allowed to beg in this area of the Orsini, except by special permit. There was an actual person somewhere within these great halls who issued seals of permit to beggars of merit, to solicit within the paths between the palace and the Cathedral.
Food also wasn’t sold in this area; it had an odor. No, everything had to be perfect here to create the illusion that the Almighty’s grace was upon the Cathedral. It was all well and good, but this arrangement caused a slight problem.
“Is there anywhere decent to eat nearby?” Allegra asked.
“What’s wrong with the food at the palace?”
“I hate swan. It tastes like…well, I won’t say what it tastes like. Is that lady still down by the river dock? You know, the one with the goiters on her neck? She makes that—”
“The salt pork stew in the cabbage leaves? Sorry, she died last winter.”
“Oh,” Allegra said disappointedly. “From the tumors?”
“Childbirth,” Rainier clarified.
“That’s a pity. Well, where do you eat?”
“Adwin should still have some pork biscuits left, if we hurry.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Allegra followed Rainier as they weaved their way through a couple of back alleys that were suspiciously scrubbed clean only as far as street view allowed. They ducked several lines of dripping clothes, and Allegra had to tug up her skirts to keep them out of the mud puddles.
They emerged on to a busy market street, where vendors shouted their wares list to shoppers. The sound was deafening, only matched by the eclectic aroma of the place. Curries competed with roasting meats, while baking breads competed with fish sitting in the sun.
There was every kind of produce here, and in all varieties and sizes. All kinds of cheese, along with grapes, citrus, and various root vegetables. Plenty of garlic and herbs, too, alongside wilting greens in the harsh sunlight.
“Lemon, Captain Rainier?”
They turned around and a young girl with a basket curtsied. Allegra winced. One side of the girl’s face was melted away and her skin was a painful hue of pink across part of her forehead, one eye, and across her cheek to her missing ear. She wore a knitted cap of bright colors, which did a passable job at hiding the missing hair on one side of her head.
“Yes, please,” Rainier said as he dug in his money purse. “Your Ladyship?”
“Yes, please,” Allegra said automatically.
“Halfpenny, please, Captain,” she said in a cheerful sing-song tone. He handed over the coin and she curtsied to Allegra, grinned at Rainier, and scampered off to accost other potential customers.
“Adwin is over there. Let’s see, oh, looks like he has some buns left. You’re in luck,” Rainier said as he peeled the top of his lemon.
“What happened to her face?” Allegra asked, looking back over her shoulder.
“Fire,” he said. He picked up his pace and waved at the costermonger. “Any pork buns?”
Adwin was a gaunt man who towered over Rainier. His blue-black skin glistened in the bright sunlight. “No pork, Captain, but I got some curry lamb ones.”
“I’ll take one. Contessa?”
“What other ones do you have?” she asked.
Adwin went through the list of what was left, and Allegra’s growling stomach decided upon the last sausage-stuffed bun at the kiosk. Rainier paid for the food before she could pull out her coin purse, and she thanked him.
They headed down through the market, away from the food vendors. This part of the market was full of repair shops and used clothing, and furniture of all kinds. There were trinkets and oddities for sale,
alongside the more practical shops selling pots and pans, menders, and repairers. This was where servants bartered on behalf of their masters and mistresses.
“Nadira is here somewhere, no doubt,” Allegra said absently. At Rainier’s questioning look, she clarified. “I had some jewelry I wanted sold. I’ve been putting it off, since I’d get a better price here than back in Borro.”
“Ah,” Rainier said again, still snacking away at his bun.
Allegra was running out of conversation pieces, so decided to follow in silence. They no longer weaved through alleyways, for which Allegra was grateful. There was significantly more muck in this area of the city. They kept to the street-sides and ate their food in silence.
Eventually, they arrived at the barracks. The barracks were inside an older stone building, with simple raised lettering on it quoting from the word of Tasmin.
“Oh, I’ve been here before. The archives are downstairs,” Allegra said. She lifted her skirts to ascend the steep stairs.
“They’ve been moved over to the old tax collector’s building,” Rainier said. He wasn’t breathing hard at all.
Allegra slowed her steps. She wanted to keep up with him, but with the combination of the corset, her shoes, the precarious steps, and the skirts, she was seconds away from panting, and that was undignified.
Rainier turned around to see her falling behind. “Sorry. Do you need my arm?”
“I’m fine,” Allegra said too quickly. She amended and said, “I don’t dare let go of my dress.”
“That’s what you get for following fashion, Contessa.”
“Indeed,” she agreed.
Rainier chuckled. “Contessa, you never cease to surprise me.”
If they were to be working together, and closely, Allegra decided to move past some of the formalities. She needed an ally and a friend. She side-eyed him and said, very quietly, “You are welcome to call me Allegra, Captain.”
His grin was wicked. “Only if you call me Stanton.”
Allegra bit her lower lip in a failed attempt to hide her smile. “Well, Your Grace, I am humbled to have that honor.”
Rainier gave her a stern glare, but it faded away in the glow of her beaming grin. “You are trouble.”
“Always,” she said sweetly. She reached the top of the stairs and exhaled in relief. “Whew. Those were tough.”
“Come on. The gang is up another flight of stairs.”
“I am coming to hate this building,” Allegra said.
They made their way up the narrow stairwell. The stairs opened into a huge room, similar in scope to a ballroom, only more sparsely decorated. There was a worn carpet spread down the length of the room, but it was too narrow for the room and only covered a little more than half of the center of the wood floor.
The walls were sparsely decorated. A couple of religious paintings hung on the walls; the standard depictions of Tasmin smiting demons done in oils. The paintings were clearly old like the carpets, as they were equally dingy and faded from time, light, and dust. The walls were lined with wooden doors. Some were opened, revealing messy beds and boxes.
The main room was full of trunks and boxes, and several people were mock wrestling and laughing. Others were packing. The heat was stifling in the room and many of the men were shirtless.
“Her Ladyship wanted to meet you before we headed to the abbey,” Rainier said. He frowned. “I wasn’t expecting everyone to be naked.”
Dodd laughed. He was bare chested, with his dingy white shirt dangling from his belt. He wasn’t tall for a man, but he was broad shouldered. His muscles weren’t cut the way some of the thinner men’s were, but he looked strong enough to bounce them all off his chest and not even notice. “I’m sure her Ladyship can handle it.”
Allegra’s eyes fell upon Lex and her smile froze. Lex was in his usual green uniform trousers, but was in bare feet. He had long, narrow feet that matched his long, narrow fingers. And he was wearing a crisp, clean corset. The white garment was different from anything Allegra had ever seen. It only came just under the breasts and had lacing in front and on the sides. It seemed to pull on like a pelisse – arms in, tie at the front.
There was silence in the room and Allegra was acutely aware she’d been staring. Dodd glanced over his shoulder and quickly said, “Oh, Lex. Yeah, see he hurt himself moving trunks and shit, so I gave him my corset. It’s good for bad backs, did you know?”
Allegra gave Dodd a look that said she wasn’t buying that the lean, muscular Lex could snugly fit into anything from Dodd’s clothing trunk.
“It’s all right, Dodd,” Lex said in a cool voice. “If the Contessa wishes to stare, she can stare.”
Allegra blinked, realizing she was being unconscionably rude. “I apologize, Lex. I’m…stunned by your corset. Where did you get such a garment? Where can I have one made?”
“Um…” Lex said.
“It’s…mine, Your Ladyship,” Dodd said.
Allegra rolled her eyes. “I would give a year of my pin money to have something like that. Does it chafe under your arms?”
“Um…” Lex said.
“Um…” Rainier added helpfully.
Allegra stared at them all and realized they were expecting a very different reaction from her. Yes, she had been momentarily surprised, but she didn’t need them to continue some kind of farce to make her comfortable. Though, it did make her smile inwardly knowing that the people who’d be her guard placed protecting their own from an employer, if necessary, high on their priorities.
Allegra decided the best way to defuse the situation the others might think was unfolding. “I asked my mantua-maker back at Borro if she could make a corset that didn’t dig into my hips when I rode. She put lacing at the side. Which is fine, I suppose, but it still means I’m in a full corset while on horseback. I simply must speak to her about this design.”
“Um, my mother had it made.”
“Who is your mother?” Allegra asked.
“The Viscountess of Alvery,” Lex said.
“May I write to your mother for the design?”
****
Lex stared at this wealthy, pampered peer and wondered what the fuck was going on. Lex was standing there in a damned corset with their modest breasts snugly bound. Martin had handed Lex his own tunic when the Contessa had walked up the stairs, but Lex hadn’t the chance to tug the garment on before she spied them.
Lex had been braced for the inquisition from this fine lady, but it didn’t come. Even with Dodd’s pathetic help and Rainier’s useless support, the Contessa didn’t pry. She’d even attempted to deflect the entire awkward situation by discussing the awkward garment openly.
“Um…sure. I’m sure my mother would be…honored? To receive a letter from you, I mean,” Lex said, still confused. Was this a trick?
“Excellent. Perhaps she can forward me the construction details. Now, I came up here to meet everyone, since you have been appointed to my guard and personal safety. However, I wish to skip all of that, and I want to know the intricate details of Lieutenant Dodd wearing a corset. Please tell me this is not a fabrication.” In a hushed tone, she said, “Please tell me it was in vibrant red velvet.”
“Pink, Your Ladyship,” Lex said.
“Tell me everything,” Allegra said.
And the gang erupted into the tale, each talking over each other. First it was Dodd who very sternly stated he had injured his back wrestling a bear in the defense of several small children.
“You were wrestling me!” Lex exclaimed. “Here, in the barracks!”
“You’ve hair enough for a bear,” Dodd complained bitterly.
Lex looked down on at the blond downy hair on their arm. “If I look like a bear, you look like a matted fur rug.”
Martin helpfully pointed out that Lex had put Dodd into a backbreaking hold and Dodd refused to give in, so Lex held the pose until Dodd’s back began to spasm.
“That’s when I m
ade Lex stop,” Rainier clarified. “That fool over there would have let Lex break his back before losing face in front of everyone.”
Beatrix chimed in excitedly, “So, like, Dodd was in significant pain, right? So Mother Valincroft was called, right? Cause she was the local priest in charge of, you know, ministering to the poor and all that.”
“So she comes in there, tuts and frowns,” Rainier said.
“Don’t forget lectured!” Martin added.
“Then she insisted that Dodd needed a corset to help his back heal,” Lex said.
“But no one here had a corset big enough to fit Dodd,” Rainier said. He was smirking.
“Ugh, here we go,” Dodd said. He was putting on a good show, but Lex knew he was grinning inwardly. Lex also knew Dodd would happily have this story told if it meant making Lex less uncomfortable. Of course, Lex wasn’t bothered by the situation. Lex was Lex. This Contessa could accept the reality or not. Accept it, and she earned their trust and respect. Reject it and well, Lex wasn’t going to change who they were just to suit someone, no matter how important they thought they were.
“So one of the older priests leant him one of hers,” Martin said.
“And it was pink?” the Contessa asked hopefully.
“White,” Dodd said through clenched teeth. “But it smelled like rosewater.”
“But Dodd was too proud to wash his own laundry,” Rahna said. “He had the nerve to ask me to do it.”
“It wasn’t because you’re a girl,” Dodd said contemptuously. And it wasn’t. They all knew it. “You were new.”
“And a girl,” Martin emphasized.
Dodd sighed and gave the Contessa a shrug.
“Oh, Dodd,” the Contessa said. “Tell me you didn’t let her wash your laundry after that.”
“I did,” Dodd said.
“He did,” everyone else chimed in.
“He certainly did,” Rainier added.
“It took two months for his back to completely heal,” Lex said. “And the entire time, he was wearing a pale pink corset underneath his manly green jacket.”
“Many men wear pink,” Dodd said.
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