“I don’t believe they have anything of interest to say to someone of your standing, my Lady,” their Mother started, uncertain how to proceed.

“Well, perhaps we should start with you, then,” and the Lady was happy to make small talk about foreign delicacies and childhood memories.

Her sisters made use of the small break to turn to Gabe, quietly asking how they should proceed. She saw how eager the three youngest wanted to take the bait, but still, they waited for her to take the lead.

Gabe’s mind worked quickly. Lady Elliot was giving them a way out, she realised. She claimed it “a game” so that whatever they said was filled under the category of words used to entertain her. This woman wanted to know them. Truly know them. Why? Did she want something from them? Maybe further her ties with the Prince? No, she was married to the bastard. If she wanted something, it was a way to harm the Prince… Though that was unlikely. The couple were to leave soon enough, and whatever she wanted to do would require more time than that. The Prince would not let his guard down in such little time, even — or perhaps especially— for them.

“...And so you must evaluate our spices collection,” her Mother seemed to beam at the prospects. The Lady called up a maid “Miranda, darling, why don’t you show Missus Thatcher and Nanny Genoir the Kitchen?”

“I would be perfectly fine here, my Lady,” Madame Genoir answered as their Mother stood up.

“Oh, you should go as well. Mother has been dying to talk with you and right now, as the guests are not here yet, that would be the perfect time, no? Consider this a formal request from the Countess.”

Madame Genoir's eyes shone again, slowly but surely standing on her feet, all the while staring deeply at their host.

“Behave, girls,” she warned before departing.

“And alone at last,” she chuckled, giving them all a good look before settling on Alani, “Are you adapting well to the nanny? I know she can be a handful sometimes. Eyes like a hawk, the old hag has.”

Their eldest gave her a small smile.

“Well enough, my Lady.”

“Oh, please, none of this ‘my Lady’. Louise is fine.”

Alani hesitated. Louise sighed, seeming truly troubled at that.

“I just thought you might need friends,” she looked at the rest of them, “all of you. The court games aim for the soul and to just… be thrown in there like that is truly unfair. I will be here in the City for just a short while, but I thought you might find some solace in at least having one person to be frank with,” she smiled bitterly, “My circumstances make it hard for me to have any alliance so you must know I won’t take any sides. That makes it easier for me to know how it feels to be under scrutiny all the time too.”

Gabe wished she had the Prince’s ability to know the truth, but she would have to settle for the second best. She questioned Alani with a look, and her sister nodded. So she believed she was telling the truth?

“Aren’t you afraid your servants will listen to your confessions?” Gabe started, and Lady Elliot seemed almost confused to hear her speak.

“Which servants?” She gesticulated around, “Miranda was the only one with us, and she is away now. She knows to return only after another guest is here.”

“You trust her,” Gabe said, understanding that getting them alone with her was planned way before they arrived.

“Deeply. She is the sister I never had,” she looked enviously at them, “And oh, how much I wish to be as numerous as you. I reckon I would never feel lonely.”

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“You would never feel not annoyed just as much,” Lulu pointed out, and the Lady smiled in return.

“ Lulu, you’re making us look bad… The girl is under a lot of stress, My Lady. Don’t take her words to heart,” Samir shook their head, moving awkwardly in the dress and muttering about how uncomfortable it was.

“See? She’s annoyed and I barely said anything at all,” Lulu concluded. She showed a smile that deeply resembled Mother’s, “Perhaps that was why Madame Genoir wanted to keep us silenced.”

The mirth earned some chuckles at least.

“Did your Mother really want to meet with the Madame?” Gabe pressed further.

If the Lady wanted to play the upfront type, she would have to prove it was not an act.

“Perhaps” The Lady raised an eyebrow, “Why does it matter?”

“Because I don’t believe just any regular calling would be able to force someone so… esteemed by her Majesty just like that,” She stared at her, “And I’m deeply curious how you managed it.”

Lady Elliot's eyes shone in understanding.

“Oh.”

She now knew that Gabe was aware Madame Genoir was the main watchful eye feeding their ins and outs to the Queen, and though that was not hard to guess, it – the fact that she was able to piece it together in just a couple weeks – told some things about Gabe. It was a gamble to be so truthful like that, but it wasn’t as if the Madame herself had not guessed by now. It was enough information to put the Lady on display. How would she react? Would she guard herself now that she knew she could be a threat… An equal? Did she only want them close because she felt they were easy prey?

“All she is saying is that we are very used to ample privacy and free time, my… Louise,” Alani intervened, “And we would enjoy being allowed a break here and there. It would be nice to have some tips on how to.”

The lady watched her honest face for long seconds of deep consideration before sighing and smiling as well.

“Well, I suppose an army is all the better for having at least one sceptical mind in between their ranks,” she turned to Gabe, again seeming full of earnestness, “My Mother is an old friend of hers, and the nanny owes a favour she has yet to return. I thought it would serve to trick her out of here. Even if Genoir knew it was a trick, she‘s aware I’m not one to give up and I am sure you are smart enough to understand why she decided to follow my suggestions sooner rather than later.”

Gabe nodded. Because they would be surrounded by other parties soon after.

Manny pulled her dress quietly.

“Can we speak now?” she whispered and Gabe hesitated just a moment more, again checking with Alani before giving her yes to the small one and the others. At least she was there to spot if anything started to go amiss.

“It’s really nice to see you again Lady Louisy,” Manny said, still shy, “You look like a good person.”

Lady Elliot opened a smile bigger than all the others before.

“And you look like the cutest little girl I have ever seen,” she pinched her cheek again, then looked at Alani, “My goodness I can’t wait to have my own.”

Alani seemed to understand her.

“Take your time though. They are a huge responsibility,” the oldest seemed lost in thoughts for a moment, “If you have them when you’re not ready, they suffer when they are the most vulnerable.”

“Yes yes, of course,” the other one complied, “Although I must say, me and my husband think we are ready. We’ve been waiting for a long time now.”

“Oh my! I thought you had just gotten married,” said Samir.

“Well, that doesn’t mean we weren’t tied to one another before.”

“Were you betrothed for a long time?” was Gabe's turn to ask.

That would be… Unusual considering all the rumours of her now husband getting the Duke’s title, back in the day. Someone of that standing wouldn’t be betrothed to a mere Count’s daughter.

She gave them the third knowing look of the evening.

“Oh, you misunderstood. No, we were not engaged. But we were enthralled by each other all the same,” she said with a soft smile.

Gabe felt her cheeks heat up. Married for love then? How baffling! And how… fitting for someone like Lady Elliot, she supposed.

“My my,” Lady Elliot chuckled, “Not used to romance, are you?”

For the first time in a long time, Gabe didn’t know what to answer. In her stead, Lulu gave her honest opinion of how romance sounded to her:

“Ew.”

They laughed.