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stepped inside. “Ohhh,” she said softly as looking about she viewed the amazing metamorphosis the little chamber had undergone. A bright orange fire burned merrily in the corner fireplace, and next to it on her high-backed stool Mag sat nodding. The stone mantel above the fireplace held her silver candlesticks, and her small jeweled clock that even now ticked reassuringly. The floor beneath her feet was plush with her Turkey carpet, and both the single window, and the bed were now hung with dark velvet curtains. Aidan could see that the bed’s old mattress was gone, and her own plump one was now in its place; the bed freshly made with her own lavender-scented fine linen sheets, a fluffy down coverlet, and pillows. Beneath the window was one of her trunks, but what had happened to the rest of her luggage she knew not. Still in all the improvement in her quarters was amazing.
    “Mag.” Gently Aidan shook her tiring woman who from habit awoke instantly.
    “Yer back, my chick. Was it an exciting evening then?”
    “Interesting,” was the reply. “I have brought you something to eat, Mag.” Aidan brought forth the chicken leg, the bread, and the pear from her dress pocket.
    “Thank ye, dearie, but the serving wench the little lordling sent to help me showed me the servants’ dining hall, and I have already eaten.”
    “Then I shall eat it,” said Aidan. “I find that I’m hungry again despite the good supper I ate this evening. Oh, Mag! What wonders ye’ve wrought with this little nest of ours. I cannot believe it is the same room! Thank you! Thank you!” She sat down upon the bed, and began to devour the food she had brought with her.
    “ ’Twasn’t easy, dearie, but once the bed was gone, and I could see what we had, I knew what to do. We scrubbed the flooring down good before I would allow yer precious carpet to be laid. I found a cabinet built right into the walls, and would ye believe there was a nest of mice in it? Well, they’re gone now I can tell ye! After the carpet was put down I had them reassemble the bed against this wall rather than centering it in the room. It allowed me the room for a trunk by the window, and the stool by the fire. I’ve hung yer gowns in the cabinet, yer shoes are there, and the necessaries I’ve repacked in the trunk. Everything else I’ve sent back to Pearroc Royal with the coachman. We simply have no room, dearie.”
    “I know,” said Aidan. “I’ll probably have to have new gowns made, Mag, for the ones I’ve brought with me are out of fashion. The young earl has promised to introduce me to his mother’s dressmaker.”
    “Ye’ll not be wearing those shameless dresses that all but allow yer titties to hang out? What would yer father say!”
    “If I wish to blend in with the others, Mag, I cannot look different now, can I? Do not fear. I can be fashionable without being immodest.” She had finished the chicken, and taking the bone from her Mag opened the window and threw it out.
    “I’ll have no more mice in this room,” she announced. “Next they’ll be eating yer shoes!”
    Aidan chuckled. “I hope not for I’ve not a pair to spare!”
    Mag bustled about now preparing her mistress for bed. To Aidan’s surprise there was a basin of warm water to wash her face and hands, and when Aidan had bathed the window was opened, and the water followed the chicken bone. “It ain’t like our home,” the tiring woman said wryly, “but we have to get rid of it somewheres. I hope we don’t have to stay here too long.” She helped her mistress into her white silk nightgown and matching nightcap with its pretty pink ribbons. Then she tucked her into the bed.
    Feeling the soft mattress beneath her, warm and dry beneath the coverlet, the scent of lavender in her nostrils Aidan watched sleepily as Mag put away her clothing. She didn’t think this was the time to explain to her servant that the queen had honored her greatly by appointing her a maid of honor. It was