Free Curio by Evangeline Denmark Page B

had happened to her father in that time? Grey pushed against the pillows, struggling to sit. She had to get back, make Adante understand. Or was it already too late? She swallowed the rising panic.
    â€œI have to get out of here. I can’t stay.” Grey peeled back the covers then yanked them to her chin. She wore nothing but a filmy gown nearly as sheer as the gauze curtains framing the tall windows. “Where are my clothes?”
    â€œDon’t be silly . . . Oh dear, what is your name?”
    â€œGrey.”
    Fantine wrinkled her perfect nose. “That’s not a very pretty name, is it?” She shrugged. “Don’t be silly, Grey. You can’t leave. We must have the glueman back to see that you’re properly mended. And then we must present you to my lord and hear your miraculous tale. And then there will likely be a ball, and various presentations and paintings and the like. The whole house is practically suspended waiting for news. Which reminds me.”
    She rose and Grey gawked at her outfit. The extravagant dress with its odd neckline—a mixture of prim and indecent—hugged Fantine’s waist in panels of gold-embroidered blue satin. What had first appeared to be a full skirt fell over her hips, but the front of the skirt ended in a lacy ruffle that skimmed Fantine’s molded ivory thighs. The rows of fabric and lace tapered to the floor, framing the woman’s elegant, bare legs. Fantine turned away, revealing a back section that reached the floor and swished behind her as she walked to a small decorative door in the wall.
    As soon as Fantine opened the little panel, the tinkling sound of water made Grey squeeze her legs together. She needed a bathroom. Now.
    Fantine reached inside the cabinet, fiddled with something, then withdrew a silver teacup. She smiled as she returned to Grey’s bedside.
    â€œHere we are.” She placed the cup on a table at Grey’s right. “Drink that up while I share the good news that you’ve reanimated.”
    Grey eyed the silver cup and bit her lip while Fantine fumbled with the curtains tied to the canopy frame at the head of the bed. Her delicate fingers closed around a braided gold rope, and she tugged on it twice.
    â€œThere, my own maid Nettie has instructions to respond to this room. She will help you dress.”
    Another loud rumble from Grey’s stomach halted Fantine’s chatter. She turned to Grey with alarm stamped on her polished features.
    Grey flushed and picked at the lace ruffle on the coverlet. “I’m hungry, and I really need to use the restroom.”
    â€œHungry? Rest room?”
    Somehow Grey had expected this reaction from Fantine. She closed her eyes, blocking out the strange, gorgeous woman and the decadent room. The dull ache in her head intensified and tears rimmed her eyelids.
    She had to find a way out of this place and back home.

CHAPTER
    7

    G rey perched on the edge of the bed while wrapped in the pink satin coverlet. Though the mattress was high off the ground, her legs reached to the floor. She tapped a quick rhythm with her toe. With Fantine gone to tell the household of her recovery, now was her chance to escape. Though three things barred her way: A full bladder, an empty stomach, and the fact that the room went black whenever she tried to stand.
    She gathered her strength for another attempt, but a soft knock at the door cut off her plan. Securing the blanket around her shoulders, Grey called for the visitor to enter.
    A white lace cap appeared. Glassy eyes peered from beneath the mop hat, and Grey expected to hear the whirring mechanical voice as the maid entered. But this individual spoke in near-human tones. The faint hum accompanying her words sounded almost breathy.
    â€œI’m Nettie, Miss. I’m here to dress you.”
    Clothed in a black maid’s uniform complete with white apron and piles of white ruffles peeking from beneath the skirt, Nettie