Nerissa lowered her book to her lap as Annis rushed into the room, the lilac ribbons of her gown whirling around her like flowers scattered by a breeze. Annis grasped her hands and pulled her to her feet, then ran to ring for Frye. “You must get dressed!” Annis called over her shoulder as she went into the dressing room. “Hamilton is here?” she asked, although she knew she sounded like a goosecap. “Annis, the doctor told him to rest for a few more days.” Emerging from Nerissa’s dressing room with a dress over each shoulder and two in her arms, she said, “Be that as it may, Hamilton is waiting for you in the foyer. He said that you should be quick, for he does not wish to miss any chance to rout Sir Delwyn at the card table.” Nerissa ignored Annis’s shouts at her back as she left the room. Frye gasped when Nerissa passed her on the stairs. The band of white embroidery at the hem of Nerissa’s skirt struck her ankles on every step, but she did not slow her furious pace as she crossed the checkered foyer to the parlor door.
