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carrousel in the courtyard of the palais chateau in which the grand prieur was to ride disguised as a gypsy woman, carrying a monkey on his back that was dressed as a child.
    Idelette nettled her at times. “Do you never wish to wear a silk gown like those we make for others and attend a gala?” Rachelle asked.
    Idelette shrugged. “It does not matter what I wish. Even if the masque goes on tomorrow, Maman told Grandmère not to allow us to attend without a male chaperone.”
    “Such an excuse. There is Comte Sebastien, our brother-in-law, is there not? He is here, serving the Queen Mother.”
    Idelette’s face grew serious. “That woman, I vow she frightens me. Does she not you? Her eyes, they do not blink but stare deeply, cold like a snake.”
    Rachelle forced a mild laugh because the thought gave her a chill. “ Allons bon! Such words as these will prompt me to look beneath my bed tonight with the lamp.”
    “I imagine the monkey would be very amusing to see all dressed up in clothes, but it is quite silly, that. A waste of time.”
    “But to see the costumes would be valuable. Such entertainment. We might become inspired with a new dress design. And — ” Rachelle glanced toward the empty tea table and remembered how hungry she was—“I imagine the sweetmeats and pastries would be wondrous to taste.”
    Idelette laughed. “You and your bonbons. It is a wonder you are not fat instead of possessing a figure that makes royalty jealous. There is no good to your wishing, petite soeur . Grandmère sent Nenette an hour ago to say la Reinette Mary wishes for accessories to go with her gown. You know how tedious it is to make accessories of the finest sort? How long it takes? It is an art in itself.”
    Rachelle absently f lipped a curl at the side of her sister’s cheek and walked over to the long trestle table. She began arranging her sewing equipment in her case for the next day’s work.
    “There was a f lurry in the courtyard this morning. Did you see it by any chance?”
    “I was too busy and did not wish to interrupt my work to go to the balcony, but I heard the confusion.”
    “Le Duc de Guise arrived with his men-at-arms. There was someone with them, a dark-hooded stranger wearing a mask.”
    “I do not suppose it means anything.” “Do you not? I find it all most odd.”
    Grandmère Henriette Dushane entered the chamber, followed by Nenette, one of the grisette novices from the Chateau de Silk and also their serving girl. She was carrying Grandmère’s personal case. Her bright carrot hair was awry as usual, and her thin, immature figure was lost to her blue cotton dress.
    Grandmère, at seventy, looked as fresh as when she had emerged from her toilet , with every strand of silver hair in place, and her crisp black dress with white collar showing not a wrinkle. She stepped sprightly to the mannequin displaying the burgundy silk gown, and using her round eyeglass, lifted the hem for inspection, scanning for any bunched thread or pulled cloth.
    Rachelle held her breath. Grandmère took an extraordinary amount of time, or so it seemed. My nerves will curl with agitation at any moment, she thought.
    Grandmère turned to her with a satisfied twinkle in her dark eyes. “ Ma cherie , you have done fine work with your needle. I am most
    proud of your ability to concentrate on such stitching, but, and only here and there — ” she spread a gracefully wrinkled hand against her small bodice and tipped her head, pursing her lips. “The thread, it is in a few places pulled a fraction too tight, as though ma belle Rachelle was oh so tense.”
    Rachelle took her evaluation with calm repose, but inside she was jubilant. Grandmère came to her, smiling, and patted her cheek.
    “Ah, but it will pass. Oui , it is fair enough. But remember what I
    taught you? The nimble fingers, the relaxed wrists. These you must have. But? I am most pleased with your abilities! Yes, you will do well. Tomorrow you will be