You Are Mine (Mine #1)(49)

“Good to meet you both.” Katherine gives them both wide grins.

“I've been anxious to meet you since seeing Serena's engagement gown,” Cynthia says. “It was superb.”

A small smile graces Katherine's mouth. “Thank you.” She turns to me “You liked your new dress then. Good. Did you wear it for the Chancellor?”

For some reason, my cheeks grow warm. “I did.”

She tilts her head closer to me. “And what did he say?”

Waverly and Cynthia also give me their full attention. My cheeks grow warmer. “He said it was nice.”

They smile.

“Good for him,” Waverly says, but her expression is more subdued than usual. Why is she somber? Did she not want my dress to get approved? Does she think it gives me too much freedom? It better not become an issue she convinces Zade about. I like it too much to have her pushing me back into traditional dresses.

“Wonderful,” Katherine replies. “It means the things I brought won't go to waste.”

“What did you bring?” I eye the packages on the bed.

“Work's been a bit slow lately. I had to do something to keep me and my workers busy.” Her face glows, but I can't help but feel guilty. Doesn't she need something she can get paid for?

“Please tell me they aren't all dresses for me.”

Her cheeks grow rosier. “They are. There should be enough that you won't have problems finding something to wear.”

“All the time your workers spent and the materials, I simply can't accept this. You should try to sell them in your shop.”

Katherine frowns and moves to the bed. She opens a package on top. “No tarnished would wear such a thing, and you are my only other customer.”

In the package is a black gown. She holds it up. Another two piece. Embroidered with silver thread, almost too light of a shade to be acceptable, but such a small amount, it will pass. She's right, it's decorated more than anything a tarnished would wear.

“Katherine, it's—” I don't know what to say.

“It's lovely.” Cynthia moves to brush the gown with her fingers. “It matches your hair.”

“That's what I was hoping,” Katherine says.

I press my lips together and reach for one. “May I?”

Katherine says, “Please do.”

I take the string off it. Another lovely two piece awaits. We all start opening packages. The joy within me grows with each new reveal. Dresses with laces in the front and two pieces with buttons. Matching gloves and ribbons. It's too much, but it's perfect.

I tell Katherine, “These are beautiful.”

“Let's try them on and see if they need any adjustments.”

So I try things on and stand while things are pinned. Then another dress. And another. Most need few, if any, adjustments. Katherine got them just right. Waverly and Cynthia ohh and ahh over the choices. I feel like doing the same.

“Well, I'm starved,” Cynthia says when I've tried all the dresses and I'm back in one that fits. “Why don't I bring us a tray for lunch? Then I'll help with some of the sewing if you'd like, Katherine.”

“You can sew?” she responds.

“She's the best seamstress in our household,” I say.

“I can get the food so you can stay and work.” Waverly stands.

Cynthia beats her to the door. “I'll grab it. It'd be nice to stretch my legs.”

“Let me help at least. It's part of my job and I don't mind”

“That'd be great. We'll see you ladies soon,” Cynthia says.

After they've left, Katherine says, “They seem nice.”

“Cynthia's sweet. I don't know much about Waverly, yet. Did you know that in Envado, servants are paid?”

Katherine keeps her gaze on the skirt she's hemming. “I'd heard. How do you feel about that?”

I lower my voice. “It's a little strange, but a good idea. As much wealth as the Chancellor has, I don't envision it being a problem, but if we ever get close to going into debt, it would be nice to work it off before becoming indentured.”

“Could you handle a life of work?”

“I think so. I wasn't pampered at home. I did as much as the servants both here and back at Father's. Maybe a little more work. I suppose I wouldn't really know until I tried. If I become tarnished, I will find out.”

Katherine looks up from her work. “Do you think it's a possibility?”

“It's always a possibility now that I'm engaged. I'll spend the rest of my life worrying it may become my fate.” My gaze roams over her inked face. “Not that I mean to imply your life is undesirable.”

“It's not for everyone, or even most, but sometimes it's for the best.”

What can she mean by that? She goes back to stitching, but keeps darting her gaze to me. “Do you ever think about escaping?”

“I've thought of it more than I should,” I whisper. Since coming here and learning more.

She finishes the hem and sets the skirt to the side. Grabbing a hold of my hand she says, “Serena, I can help. If you ever want to escape, or need to, I'll do whatever I can to help.”