The birds were singing when Ilona
awoke. She stretched, feeling the delicious coolness of blue silk sheets
against her skin. Cordulaās plump form appeared in her vision, holding up
a pink gown.
āWill this gown suit you for
today?ā
āAye.ā Ilona rubbed the sleep
from her eyes and accepted Cordulaās help in dressing.
āDid you enjoy the dancing last
night?ā Cordula cinched Ilonaās laces firmly.
āI did. I had more partners
than I knew what to do with.ā
āAny of them catch your fancy?ā
She smoothed Ilonaās hem with a practiced hand.
Ilona leaned against her mahogany
bedpost and played with the edge of the blue silk covers. āTwoā¦I think.ā
āTwo!ā Cordula scowled.
āWell, you cannot marry but one.ā
āI know.ā
āSit down while I do your hair, and
tell me what you liked about them,ā Cordula ordered.
Ilona sat by the window and crossed
her arms on the windowsill. āThey were both very handsome.ā
Cordula snorted, yanking the comb
through Ilonaās hair.
Ilona winced as Cordula found a
tangle. āEmil said all manner of nice things and seemed to like me a
great deal. And he had a good sense of humor. Plus he seems to be
well-educated and well-traveled.ā An involuntary shiver ran over Ilonaās
head as Cordula parted her hair into strands. āAnd Detlefā¦he was so
mysteriousā¦and yet I felt as if I knew himā¦and liked him.ā
āKing Rowanās son? Aye, he
came here when you were but a wee girl. The two of you would play for
hours. A sweet boy, he was.ā
āI donāt remember him.ā
Cordula thoughtfully pinned Ilonaās
hair up. āMmmmā¦no, I reckon not. You wereā¦let me thinkā¦four years
old?ā
Ilona sighed and pressed her fingers
to her forehead. āCordula, how do I pick the right husband?ā
Cordula rubbed her dimpled
chin and propped her other hand on her hip. āYou want a husband that will
be kind to you. No beating or yelling. He should rub your feet when
youāre tired from a long day. And he should know how to use money wisely
ā no wasting it on useless things. He should be a hard worker. He
should like your cooking, and he should be good with childrens. And you
should like being together.ā
Ilona tried not to smile over
her plebian requirements. āAre you married?ā
āLands, no! What do I want a
husband for?ā Cordula bustled away to fluff Ilonaās pillows and make her
bed. āI have enough to do here with you.ā
āAm I trouble?ā
Cordula straightened up, her
eyes alight with love for her young charge. āNever.ā She rubbed her
nose vigorously. āNow you run along outside and walk out any kinks
leftover from a night of dancing.ā
Ilona wrinkled her face
reluctantly and glanced out the window. But as she caught sight of a tall
dark-haired young man strolling into the shrubbery, her legs began to ache for
a stretch, and she found herself saying, āThank you, Cordula. I think I
shall.ā
(by Esther Brooksmith)
She has quite a big decision to make. Love this!
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