A Posse of Princesses Read Online Free PDF Page B

quiet soon after.
When she glanced up he suppressed a yawn as he stared over her head
at the other dancers.
    Annoyance flushed through her, but she just
curtseyed politely when the dance came to an end, and the man bowed
equally politely and then promptly moved away.
    She thought about that after she and Shera
parted to sleep. Dancing well really wasn’t enough, she realized,
remembering what her tutor had said. Part of the art of dancing was
to converse well with your partner. And—she had to admit—she hadn’t
even tried to talk with him, but had spent her time peering at
Shera and her partner, and laughing when their eyes met.
    What will I talk about when I dance with
Prince Lios? She burrowed into the pillow, sleepily wondering
what he’d be like, and what she’d say, and what he’d say, until she
slid into dreams.
    oOo
    Slowly the great forests of the east changed
to rolling farmland. The air smelled much different than mountain
air—like grass and herbs—and Rhis liked it very much. There were
lots of gardens along their route, and Shera, who had learned much
from the gardener in Gensam, gave Rhis names and properties of
different plants. Rhis found herself gradually taking an interest
as they compared size and hues of various blossoms. Reading about
plants you’ve never seen is boring, but seeing gardens in all their
brightness and variety was like discovering surprise after
surprise. Beautiful surprises.
    Finally they turned north, heading toward a
more mountainous region. It did not make Rhis homesick—she was
enjoying herself too much for that—but she loved the broad trees
with their complicated leaves, so different than the ever-present
pines of home.
    The two days before they reached Eskanda
caused the girls much excitement. By then they had gone through
each other’s wardrobe to determine which gown ought to be worn for
their first appearance in company. In Rhis’s mind was that mental
image of the perfect princess Iardith. She did not really expect to
make a stir (much as it was fun to imagine universal gasps of
admiration when she first walked into the grand parlor), but she
did want to do credit to Nym, so she tirelessly discussed the pros
and cons of each outfit with Shera, who had the better knowledge of
what was the very latest fad, and what wasn’t.
    At last their carriage rolled through the
gates of Eskanda Palace, a vast structure built of a warm
gold-veined marble that glowed in the westering sunlight. The sun
reflected off hundreds of arched windows, which made the palace
look like it was decorated with firestones. A magnificent garden of
grand proportions made Shera draw in her breath in admiration. This
kind of garden, she pointed out, was only achieved after at least a
hundred years of being constantly tended.
    The garden was pretty, but Rhis saved her
attention for the people. Not that many were in view, except for
liveried servants moving back and forth. The courtyard was quite
empty when their carriage clattered to a stop. The girls stepped
out onto a mosaic pattern made of a variety of bricks of different
shades. As they shook out their gowns they were approached by an
impressive man who wore the blue and white of Vesarja’s royal
family. Otherwise, Rhis thought to herself, she would have thought
him some royal relative.
    He stopped to briefly address the girls’
outrider, then came forward with stately step and bowed low. In a
sonorous voice he said, “Prince Lios bids me welcome you to his
home, Your Highnesses. If you will consent to follow me, I will
show you to the quarters prepared for you.”
    “Thank you,” Shera said in a small voice.
    Gensam might be a lot more sophisticated than
Nym, Rhis thought, but Vesarja and its royalty were even moreso.
She kept resolutely silent as she followed behind the dignified
steward.
    Once inside, she stared in silent amazement.
She’d thought the Royal Inn at Gensam’s border fine, but it was
nothing compared to this palace.
    No