"Modesitt,.L.E.-.Spellsong.05.-.Shadow.Singer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

While she could have disagreed had Palian or Richina or even Alcaren---said those words, somehow she could not contradict Ulya. "I do not know about that. I do know that you have made it more special, and I cannot thank you enough."

Ulya bowed. After a moment, so did Verlya.

"We must go," the older girl said as she straightened. "Mother said we were not to tarry."

"Or dally," added the blonde.

"By your leave, Lady Secca?" The two bowed again.

"By my leave, and do convey my deepest thanks to your mother."

"Yes, lady."

The two turned and walked solemnly to the door--- except Secca caught the glimmer of a smile from the younger sister. After the door closed behind the departing girls, Palian looked to Secca. "They were most polite and restrained for the heirs of a land."

"They're not automatically the heirs," Secca said absently, her eyes still on the white-gold choker she almost wished she had not been given. "This Matriarch is the younger daughter. Alcaren said that her mother was actually a cousin of an earlier Matriarch."

"That might be better for other lands, as well." Palian's voice was dry. She stepped forward and stood beside Secca, looking down at the open box beside the gown and studying the white-gold choker. After a moment, the chief player turned to Secca. "It carries a message, lady, though none is written thereon."

"I know." Secca nodded slowly. "I know." "The lady Richina," announced Gorkon.

'Do have her come in," Secca said coldly, winking at Palian.

Richina inclined her head almost before she was inside the chamber. "Lady Secca."

"I understand that you have been lending out my gowns," Secca said sternly. "My only gown."

Richina bowed her head.

Secca laughed. "Best you see the fruits of your deviousness." She held up the gown.

"It is beautiful, lady." After a moment, Richina added, "It is my fault. I wanted you to have a consorting gown, but I cannot sew well enough for such. So I asked the Matriarch for her assistance. You do not mind, do you?"

"You have more boldness than I do in such," Secca confessed.

"In that, you also resemble the lady Anna," Palian said. "Never would she ask anything for herself if ever she could avoid it."

Secca flushed then looked down at the polished wooden floor before raising her eyes again.

"If you can," blurted Richina, "you might keep the gown a surprise from Alcaren."

"I will say nothing," Secca promised. "That does not mean he will not know. This is his land."

"I do not think any will tell him," observed Palian dryly. "Not about a consorting gift from the Matriarch."

All three women smiled.

Secca held up the gown again, stepping toward the mirror on the inside wall. "It is beautiful."