Chapter Four: The Morning After

Previously: Family

 

Matilda Foxmere. Alys Hawkridge. Adela Stoneleigh.

 

Mireille du Maurier gleefully examined her new soon-to-be friends. Matilda was the oldest. She was on the plump side, with wavy blond hair and gray eyes. Alys Hawkridge had light brown skin, hazel eyes, and honey-colored curls. But Adela... Adela was a reflection of Mireille herself, with even darker skin, dark eyes, and long braids tinged with burgundy.

 

They dressed in the Avenish fashion, of course, and their families weren't as rich as she. As such, their clothes were of a lesser quality, but Mireille didn't mind. Along with Rowena Thornmere, she would mold them into whatever she wanted.

"You must all come to visit me in... three days' times," Mireille eagerly suggested. If she suggested the next day, it wouldn't be enough time for the servants to clean up. Godwin would have an aneurysm. "I want to know everything about Ravensbridge and Westervale."

 

"We want to know everything about Valeronne," Adela said, equally excited. "Is it true you lived by the sea?"

 

"I did," Mireille said, nodding. "In Auremer. My cousin Thibault is still there, at my ancestral home."

 

"Is this the current fashion in Auremer?" Matilda asked, looking her up and down. "I heard you brought dozens of dresses from Valeronne."

 

"Before leaving, I visited the capital in Saint-Véronne. I stayed with the Comtesse de Marivelle, and she introduced me to the same tailor who dresses our Queen." Mireille beamed. She'd done her homework, after all.

She watched their eyes widen in unison and felt a bizarre wave of joy. She was impressed with her character, and had enjoyed reading her surprisingly extensive backstory.

 

I should write to the Comtesse, she suddenly thought. Maybe send her a nice gift or something.

 

"Your home is beautiful," Alys told her. "No one ever understood Lord Rosemere's obsession, but you have turned his dreadful decorations into something remarkable."

 

"Thank you," Mireille said with a smile. She planned to dig through lore to see what the old manor originally looked like. She was going to say something else when Godwin gestured for her to step aside.

 

"Dinner is about to be served, madam," he informed her.

 

She nodded, remembering her graces. The dinner party was canon, as were all of the parties. She merely had to play her part. She took her seat the head of the long table in the dining hall, and called everyone's attention by tapping her goblet with a fork.

 

"Honored guests," she called to them, "please join me. Dinner is served!"

 

The guests made noises of relief and approval, hurrying to their seats. Of course, once the servants started bringing around carts and platters, she didn't eat. Holographic food often looked and even sometimes smelled amazing, but tasted like nothing. Non-playable characters were programmed not to notice or care when human players didn't eat or drink.

 

Instead, Mireille followed the computer's advice and did her best to navigate this strange world, telling stories of life in Auremer and repeatedly praising the Baron's beautiful country. She gaily chatted while her guests devoured her food and drank all of her Calderran wine.

 

After helping Godwin supervise the servants all evening, Edith finally came by to murmur in her ear, "Your dinner is a success, my lady."

 

"I should hope so," Mireille whispered back. "I'm doing most of the talking."

 

"They haven't eaten proper food in a long time, remember?" Edith asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Right," Mireille said, nodding. She reached for her bracelet and pushed the pause button. "Computer, I can fast forward now, right? I mean, since it's a success?"

 

"Correct."

 

Mireille gave a deep sigh of relief. She hadn't wanted to complete any quests, and yet here she was.

 

"Save game, then fast forward."

 

***

 

"Rowena Thornmere?" Her seneschal looked up from his desk. "You want to offer her a position?"

 

It was the next morning, and they were in his study. Although the rose motif was present, it was much more subdued, and in all honesty, Mireille preferred it.

 

"Her brother serves the Baron, and the Baron likes his family well enough." Mireille innocently shrugged. "I think she could make a fine addition to my house."

 

"Have you ever actually met Rowena?" Godwin asked.

 

"Of course not," she admitted. "Why? Is something wrong with her?" She hadn't thought about that.

 

"No," Godwin replied, shaking his head. "She's a commoner, but well-bred. A fine choice, actually."

 

And he's surprised by that. Mireille resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

 

"Invite Rowena and her mother for tea and sweets tomorrow," she instructed. "And her brother too, to make the proper introductions." She smiled to herself. She was learning to sound more like them, even with the Valeronnese accent. "I've heard good things about the Thornmeres, and I'd like to be surrounded by good people while I'm here."

 

"Will this be before or after we host Misses Matilda, Alys, and Adela?"

 

She thought it over quickly before deciding. "Before. I invite the ladies to visit the day after."

 

Godwin gave her a look. "The other three may look down on Miss Rowena for her low birth."

 

"Oh, please," Mireille scoffed. "Matilda's mother is common. Alys's father is common. The Stoneleighs may have distant royal blood, but all three families are heavily in debt. They are no position to judge anyone."

 

"And yet they will," he said strictly. "How does my lady intend to mitigate that?"

 

Mireille flashed a wry smirk. "By making them all the same. Now," she said, straightening up. "Last night was a towering success. Godwin, I give you leave to purchase any horse of your choosing."

 

The seneschal's eyes were like saucers, but for once, he didn't protest.

 

"And Edith," Mireille said, smiling broadly, "have the tailors fit you for some new dresses. You have a budget of ten crowns."

 

Godwin gasped. "My lady."

 

"This was our first feast together and we succeeded," Mireille shushed him. "We are allowed to celebrate. And one more thing," she added. "Edith, choose several of my lesser gowns and have the tailors alter them for my new friends."

 

Godwin paused for a moment. "Do you intend to replace them?"

 

Mireille shot him an exasperated look. "No, Godwin. This isn't an excuse to buy new gowns."

 

He immediately relaxed. "Then this should surely curry favor with their families."

 

"And the envy of all others," Edith mused.

 

Mireille excitedly clapped her hands. "Magnifique! Well?" she asked. "You have your assignments!"