those soft golden lights in the morning [open]

[anna_morcades]

Morgause is in her room, the dark red robe tied loosely over her nightdress, her hair still in its nightly plaits; she is sitting by the window, with coffee. All Sagramore's fault, that.

Anyone brave enough to knock is welcome to bother her.

Comments

[le_desirous]

Somebody is brave enough! Somebody is feeling quite triumphant at the moment, and is being closely followed by a small, shy Italian girl with a baby in her arms. He knocks on her door cheerfully. "My lady!"

[anna_morcades]

"Ay." She sets down her cup.

[le_desirous]

He opens the door more gently than the rest of his actions; twists the knob and pushes it open enough to usher Hero in and come after himself. "My lady, you remember you remarked on a need for a lady's maid?"

[anna_morcades]

Her eyebrows lift, less in censure than in curiosity. "Did I indeed?"

[le_desirous]

Sagramore refuses to be squelched. "Indeed, indeed, my lady. Lady Hero can dress hair and run errands, serve as a lady of chambers, and attend you. Can't you?" addressing her.

[fair_hero]

She curtsies beautifully to Morgause, balancing the child. "Ay, my lord."

[anna_morcades]

"So, indeed." Morgause studies her a moment. "How old?"

[fair_hero]

"Seventeen years, my lady."

[anna_morcades]

"And the child?"

[fair_hero]

"Born two months past."

[anna_morcades]

A smile, then. "Older than I guessed, and thou younger. Art married?"

[fair_hero]

"Ay, my lady, and yet he is oft away on business and I am shamed to be so idle in his absence."

[anna_morcades]

"Well." She considers a moment. "Canst keep thy counsel? I will have no gossip."

[fair_hero]

"Ay, my lady," readily.

[anna_morcades]

"If I find thou dost not, thou'lt answer for it," mildly enough, but with a steady look.

[fair_hero]

She nods her understanding.