Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7)(32)

"Countess?" Mary whispered.

"Very much, Mary. As a matter of fact, I fear we cannot do this without your counsel and help."

Mary looked back and forth worriedly, but then smiled. "I am honored. But first, Countess, serious discussion demands serious dress. Please allow me to help you."

The thought of dressing, or worse, undressing in front of a queen was a little discomforting. Isabel glanced around the room, but there wasn't a single private space in sight.

Her necklace warmed.

In this day, Isabel, nudity is quite common. Be not shy in the presence of other women.

So I should feel comfortable removing my clothes and letting others see me out of my robes?

Yes.

Forget it. I don't want to be naked in front of a queen whose body is . . . oh, hell, sacred.

Just dress yourself, Isabel, and stop whining; you have more important issues you need to be mining.

Isabel sucked in a breath and removed her robe, tossing it onto her bed.

She pulled the gown over her head as fast as she could, covering her butt, her br**sts and her "stuff" as fast as possible. But it wasn't cooperating as much as she'd like. This was the most embarrassing moment of her life. Well, this life. She had a more embarrassing story in her older, or newer, life. That streaking incident in '85, for example. And the first time she allowed Jimmy Zwersky to partially undress her in fifth grade so they could compare.

Gwen laughed. "You are a shy woman, Isabel."

Isabel turned, even as she was still struggling to get the dress over her head, so her voice was muffled. "I prefer to dress alone."

"Would you prefer I leave, Isabel?"

"No, I'm good now," Isabel said as she finally got the freaking gown down over her body. God damn, she did not want to talk to the perfect Gwen about body issues. It was pretty obvious that the queen had none to worry about.

"May we please continue to discuss other matters?" Isabel asked, as Mary began working on the damn lacing process.

"Most assuredly, Countess," Gwen said. "You seem to feel discomfort in your gowns."

Isabel gritted her teeth. "In my land we allow women to wear much more comfortable clothing."

"Truly? Such as?"

"Well, because we enjoy gaming, we allow our women to wear pants, such as men do. We do not force ourselves to wear gowns at all waking hours."

"You wear men's breeches?"

"Yes and no. They are made for women. For the comfort and sporting fun of women. They are not so tight. But they allow the freedom to engage in events that they could not possibly do in gowns."

Gwen smiled and clapped. "So intriguing! I must learn more of this women sporting idea. And these 'pants,' did you say?"

"Show me the women who make the clothing, and I will be happy to guide them on how to create them. I realize many will not be comfortable in even trying them on, but they may warm to the idea once they have a chance to try them."

"Yes, yes! And guide us in the sporting?"

"Here's how we do it, Gwen. We allow all women at least an hour to play in whatever sport they choose to engage in on any particular day. They may wear those pants or breeches things for that playtime. They are given a time out from the backbreaking work they engage in for the rest of the day. If they are shy, as I am, they wear smocks or aprons or whatever they like overtop their shirts and tights."

Gwen's eyes were lit up like silver stars. "And the men make no objections?"

"First off, Your Highness, the men not only do not object, they must be ordered away from the ladies' playground, as they tend to ogle. Second, when the women are happier at the end of the day, it follows that so are the men, if you understand my meaning."

Gwen laughed. "I understand. And do so recognize the sheer genius of the plan. We must needs implement this at Camelot."

"I am so glad you see how this benefits your female staff. May we take up this conversation later? I have a morning breakfast meeting to attend."

"With Arthur?" Gwen asked.

Isabel nodded. "And others. It is nothing intimate, Gwen. It is a strategy meeting."

"'Twas once upon a time that I was welcomed at such meetings," Gwen said.

"Then, for goodness sake, we will go together. No one forbade you, correct?"

Gwen hesitated. "But I was not invited to the meeting."

"I believe your thoughts on the matters facing us all are most definitely important. I invite you."

Gwen smiled. "I most assuredly recognize why Arthur appreciates you, Countess."

Mary finished lacing Isabel's dress, then turned to them. "My queen, Countess, may I ask you to keep a secret for me?"

"Of course," they both said.

"I would very much appreciate that the news of James and me not get out to others in the castle. Not just yet."

"Your secret's safe with us, is it not, Gwen?"

"'Tis. But, Mary, why?" Gwen asked.

Mary blushed again. "There be many other girls who have set their sights on him, and I prefer not to upset them until we announce the news to all."

The idea that the human equivalent of bigfoot would be such a catch kind of boggled Isabel's mind. But she nodded. "Is this why you have kept him so . . . shaggy, Mary?"