Page 30 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“Of course, I was. Did you say you left with Lady Vivian? Did you manage to find a dress?”
“I did, but not at a boutique. I didn’t have time to get a custom dress ordered, and Lady Vivian said she’d ordered more than one for the spring events, so we went to the Trelawney estate.”
He eyed me. “She gave you a dress?”
“I tried to tell her no, but she insisted. She wouldn’t accept any money, either. She told me to take it as a token of our friendship.”
“She’s engaged to the future head of the Magic Tower, correct?”
“Lord Ivan? Yes. She said they were getting married this autumn.”
He bobbed his head. “She’s an excellent friend for you to have. Did you bring the dress with you?”
“No. One of her maids is a talented seamstress, so she measured me for it. She’s making the necessary alterations, and it should be delivered late tomorrow afternoon.”
“Very well. I will make sure I’m home to receive the delivery myself. I’ll keep it safe until the ball.” He pressed the button on his desk that went directly to Caldwell. “I’ll also instruct that all your letters go to Caldwell, so Bella should retrieve them from him in the future.”
“Thank you.” I paused. “May I ask you for a favour?”
“You may ask.”
“Annie, the maid who retrieved my invitations. Is she a personal maid for anyone?”
“That’s unlikely if she stepped in for Bella.” He met my eyes. “Why?”
“I’m worried Mother may punish her when she was only following my orders. Since I only have Bella, would it be all right if Annie was immediately instated as my second personal maid?”
Father held my gaze for a moment, and he almost looked as if he wanted to say something important, but there was a knock at the door before he could do so. “Enter.”
Caldwell stepped inside. “You called, my lord.”
“Yes.” Father stood up. “Caldwell, it appears there are things happening within my household that I’m not aware of, and I’m quite ashamed of that.” He removed his glasses again. “From now on, you are to handle all of Alicia’s letters directly and only give them to Bella or Alicia.”
He bowed his head. “As you wish, my lord.”
“Also, Annie—that maid that Bella mentioned. Do you know her?”
Caldwell looked at me.
“Ginger hair, lots of freckles.” I motioned to the bridge of my nose. “A bit like a puppy.”
“Ah, yes. She’s a young girl, relatively new to the house, I believe. Has she done something wrong?”
“No. Alicia wishes to have her as her second personal maid, and I have consented. Please inform everyone necessary, including the marchioness, that Annie is now under Alicia’s command with immediate effect. She is to be treated as Bella is.”
Caldwell’s lips twitched. “Of course, my lord. Shall I send her directly to your room, Lady Alicia?”
“Yes, please. She can begin training under Bella immediately.” I turned to my father. “Thank you, Father.”
He inclined his head. “You may both be excused.”
Caldwell held the door for me, and when it closed behind us, he leant in closer to me and muttered, “Well played, my lady.”
I grinned. “Thank you.”
Chapter Seven
If Evil, Why Hot?
