Chapter 11: Belsienne Played Anyway

Maerielle chose the least conspicuous hat she owned for Belsienne's performance.

It was trimmed with a white feather longer than Thessa's forearm.

The companion looked at it without comment.

Maerielle took the feather off.

The hat collapsed on one side.

Apparently the feather had been supporting its entire opinion of itself.

Thessa handed her a plain comb.

"Your hair can attend," she said.

Maerielle used the comb and left the hat on the dressing table.

She'd spent breakfast looking at the flowering plant beside her own window.

It seemed healthy without any evidence of the duke's approval.

She wished she could manage the same thing quite so visibly.

At the salon, Belsienne stood beside her instrument while the host welcomed the guests.

Her name was announced without a speech about Maerielle's repentance.

Maerielle had asked for that and then found it difficult to endure.

She wanted the musician to have the room.

She also wanted everyone to notice her giving it up.

Recognizing the second wish didn't immediately remove it.

She went to stand behind a pillar.

The pillar was narrower than her skirt.

A guest moved aside so he could see around her.

She moved farther behind it.

The large mirror on the opposite wall now displayed her entire face.

Thessa took her arm and led her to an ordinary chair.

"You can listen sitting down," she said.

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