4. Evergreen Manor #2
When the carriage stopped and Gawyn opened the door for her, she still gaped around in amazement. He held out his hand, and Skylar could swear the slightest smile was playing on his lips. She closed her mouth, took his hand, and got off the carriage.
"Welcome home," he said, leading her towards the main door, where the servants were lined up. "I hope you will find it acceptable."
"This place is amazing!" Skylar said, still too astonished to voice any coherent thought, her head turning from one sight to another, trying to see everything at once.
Gawyn tugged her gently to move. "There will be time for sightseeing later," he said, his tone all businesslike once again. "Now, let's introduce you to the servants."
They stopped a few feet before the gathered people.
They all bowed deeply. An older man was standing in front of them.
He was tall and lean. His remaining hair was white, and his face all wrinkled.
But his pale blue eyes were full of warmth, and he smiled at Skylar as if he was genuinely pleased to see her.
His uniform was impeccable, and his back was straight even despite his advanced age.
"My lord, welcome home," he said to Gawyn with an elaborate bow.
"Thank you, Zachariah. Let me introduce you to my wife, Lady Skylar." The General let go of her hand and put his palm on the small of her back, pushing her gently half a step forward.
"It's a great pleasure to meet you, my lady." The older man bowed again and then smiled at her, his eyes bright. "I couldn't ask for a more lovely presence to grace our house."
Skylar's cheeks went red. She was not used to being complimented. She knew it was just a pleasantry, but Zachariah said it as if he meant every word. "Erm... Thank you," she managed to stutter.
"Zachariah is a Head of all the servants in the Evergreen," Gawyn said. "Whatever you need, he will always help you."
"I'm at your service, my lady," the older man said and then gestured to one of the maids.
A girl not much younger than Skylar stepped forward, her cheeks bright red with excitement.
"This is Kayla. She is your main handmaid and will assist you with all your daily routines and more... feminine matters."
"It's an honour, my lady," Kayla said with a deep courtesy.
"Nice to meet you, Kayla," Skyreplied with a smile. The girl's eyes brightened, and she smiled with her whole being.
"I'm sure you both must be exhausted after your journey," Zachariah said. "The dinner is waiting for you. Let us move to the dining room."
"Of course," Gawynsaid, retaking hold of Skylar's hand and following the Head Servant. "Is Master Bailey here already?"
"Yes, my lord. He arrived just a few moments before you."
"Invite him to dine with us, then. He's doing me a great service attending to my needs this late in the day."
"Of course, my lord. I'll see to it right away."
"Who is Master Bailey?" Skylar said in a half-whisper.
"My tailor," Gawyn said. "He will have a lot of work from now on."
"This one is fine, I think," Skylar said, walking out from behind changing screen dressed in yet another dress. She lost count of how many she had tried on already.
Master Bailey tutted and noted something on his parchment.
He was a short, older gentleman in a perfectly tailored purple suit.
Despite his meek posture, he looked like a personification of elegance, and Skylar found him intimidating.
His dark eyes were scrutinising her every line and curve, and nothing seemed to satisfy him.
She was so tired already she could accept whatever dress, no matter how uncomfortable. But he had none of it.
"No, this one just won't do." He came up to her and started to fiddle with a fabric. "Too tight in the shoulders. And it could be tighter in the waist."
"I told you none of them would fit her," Gawyn grumbled. He was sitting on the sofa.
He took off his jacket and pulled up the sleeves of his black shirt, revealing lean and muscular forearms.
The arms of a warrior, Skylar noticed. But he looked as tired as she felt.
It was already long after sunset, but the tailor didn't seem to be discouraged by that.
"Can't you just take her measurement and fix something for her?"
"I can't just fix something, young man!"
Master Baileygrowled, giving the General a death stare.
"I'm not a seamstress to just fix something and be done with it! I am an artist! I agreed to produce the whole new wardrobe for your wife, and I will do so, no matter how much effort it will cause me. But to do that, I need to see how her body looks in dresses of different styles.
There is no rushing when it comes to art!"
"Fine," Gawyngroaned, massaging the bridge of his nose.
"I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble," Skylarsaid to the tailor, feeling her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I know my body is not exactly what the court lady should look like."
The older man stopped what he was doing and looked at her, surprised.
"My dear, your body is just perfection!"
he boomed, startling her. "All those muscles and curves! It doesn't matter if it doesn't fit the court fashion. It's a feeble thing, fashion, and it changes every season. But you don't have to worry about a thing, love.
I'll make you a dress that defies fashion and sets a new beauty standard in the capital! Oh, I can see it already!"
"Less talking, more working, Master Bailey!" Gawyn huffed.
"Fine! Fine! I swear, I don't know when this shy little boy I used to dress got so pushy..." the man mumbled under his nose, and Skylar found herself genuinely smiling for the first time since the wedding.
When they were finally done with the dress fitting, Gawyn dismissed all the servants and showed Skylar to her room.
"This is it. Let Kayla or Zachariah know if you need anything, and they see it's done."
Skylar looked around the room. It was far more extensive and luxurious than her bedroom at home. She couldn't imagine what else would she ever need. "It's perfect, thank you."
"Get some rest. It's been a long day," the General said, walking back towards the doors.
Skylar hugged herself, suddenly feeling lonely in this lavish but unfamiliar place. "Gawyn?" she called, turning to face him. It was the first time she called him by his name. It had a foreign taste, but she had to get used to it sooner or later.
He stopped with a hand on the handle and looked back at her. "Yes?"
"Regarding our contract. Shouldn't we... I don't know... pretend we are sleeping together? To avoid rumours?"
"Oh, you don't have to bother with it. All the servants are utterly loyal to me, and nothing of what happens here ever gets out of Evergreen."
"I see. That's good then."
"Anything else?" he asked with a raised brow.
"No. I'm good. Have a good night," Skylar said quickly.
"You too," he replied and left, closing the door gently behind him.
Skylar sighed and fell onto the bed, exhausted.