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teeth. To think that she had to show submissiveness to this spoiled woman. Mila probably wouldn’t last a day out in the midst of the plains. No doubt she’d attract every wildcat in the area and be nothing but gristle and bones by sundown.
    The morbid thought caused Seri to smile. Rough hands grabbed Seri’s, and she looked over into Winna’s serious, thin-lipped face. “Take the finger-hooks and wrap them around your fingers and hold the material outward, spread. It should look as if her ladyship is floating.” The woman wrapped the thin gold cording around Seri’s brown hands with irritation. “Right now it looks as if you’re a beggar trying to get a few coins at her feet.”
    That stung. The smile eased off Seri’s face, replaced by an impassive look that hid the hatred in her eyes. She spread her fingers as Winna instructed, noting that the decorative gold cording bit into her flesh and chafed.
    Three dru , she told herself again. Three dru. You’ll be able to buy a cow, and have enough left over to buy some seed. The field out to the west won’t be fallow any longer and you’ll be able to plant come spring.
    The thought of a smile on her sister’s face was enough to keep her going and she obediently followed when Lady Mila moved forward once more, a vision swathed in layer upon layer of gold tissue and a slippery black fabric that Winna had referred to as “silk.” Seri’s rough hands had caught on the silk when she touched it and she’d been careful not to go near it again.
    “Better,” Lady Mila snapped, whipping around to eye the Vidari girl. “You’ll continue to practice tonight, I assume. I want it to be perfect for the ceremony tomorrow evening.” She reached around her back and began to unhook the endless tiny buttons that crawled up the back of her dress. Winna rushed over to help her.
    “Of course, my lady,” Seri assured her, taking the cue and unhooking her fingers from the fabric. “I’ll practice all day and night if I need to.”
    “You need to,” the woman snapped, her pretty features hardening into a mask of dislike. “Is your costume ready?”
    Seri hesitated. “I don’t know. Am I to wear something special?” She looked to Winna in surprise. They had mentioned new clothing, but she thought the gray servant’s dress she currently wore had been it. No one had mentioned anything else to her, though of course it was foolish to assume she’d remain in her practical garb for the ceremony as well.
    Winna avoided making eye contact, her fingers busily picking out a stray thread from Lady Mila’s beautiful costume. “You are. My lady’s special tailor is putting the final touches on it as we speak and you shall be fitted tomorrow just before the ball.”
    “Splendid,” Mila announced, a beatific smile returning to her pale features. “We shall catch the eye of every man there. Most especially the prince.” She gave a girlish giggle and tugged at the bodice of her dress. “Come and take this off me, Winna. ’Tis too tight to wear for long and I need my beauty sleep before tomorrow arrives. I want to look as fresh as possible, and all this worrying over the savage girl is fraying my nerves.”
    “Of course, my lady,” Winna said, hurrying over to Lady Mila’s side. The other women took the cue and scattered from the room, leaving only the two women and Seri, who still stood holding the train of the fine dress rather awkwardly.
    The handmaid cast a hateful look Seri’s way. “What is it you want? Can’t you see my lady is distressed? Being around you is very trying for her.”
    Seri wanted to retort that if it was so trying, the lady could pay her and she’d gladly leave. Instead, she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from screaming and forced a blank smile to her face. “Is there anything you would like for me to do in the meantime?” Anything to keep her mind busy and off Lady Mila’s theatrics.
    Winna hesitated a moment, then said, “The tailor needs