My servants had strewn the freshly picked rose petals over the rushes on my floor. They’d even scattered the delicate petals over my dressing table. But it hadn’t done any good. I sat listlessly on my bench, staring into the looking glass but only seeing rats no matter how many times I’d tried to focus on Trudy arranging my hair into two looped plaits. A knock on the chamber door made me jump. Even though my limbs had ceased shaking, my insides still quaked at every noise and every slight movement. Trudy bustled to the door and opened it, revealing Thomas. With a grave face, he stepped into the doorframe but came no farther. I started to rise from my dressing table, but he motioned me to remain seated. “I’m sorry for disturbing you, my lady. But I couldn’t stay away. I’ve been worried about you.” “Please, don’t worry —” I started. “I cannot bear to see you in distress,” he said. His features softened as he studied my face, which was surely still lined with my horror.
