“It is true, she doesn’t know what leisure time is,” Martha laughed as she sat down in the chair beside Tegan.
Salem frowned but didn’t pursue it. Tegan was already uncomfortable, and he was about to make her worse. He leaned against the desk, glancing at the box before turning his attention to Tegan.
“The ball is tonight,” he began.
“I don’t have to go?” Tegan jumped in eagerly. Martha chuckled as Salem smiled at her.
“You have to go, your Uncle is holding this in your honour.”
“He doesn’t even know me,” Tegan muttered.
“I believe that is his point,” Salem’s reply was grim. “Anyway, Martha has helped me this afternoon with this box, I honestly forgot it was still here.” Salem’s eyes looked at the box again wistfully.
“What is it?”
“It’s some of your mother’s dresses,” Martha said taking Tegan’s hand. “I stored it in the attic when she was here the last time. She used to live here remember?” Martha squeezed Tegan’s hand gently.
Tegan glanced quickly at Salem, before turning back to Martha. “I know, I sometimes forget that she hadthings.” Tegan looked at the box, biting her lip as she felt a wave of emotion was over her. She had nothing of her mother’s, expect the journals, Leonid had removed everything from the Silver Lake house. “Can I,” Tegan laughed nervously. “Can I see them?”
“Of course, they are yours now,” Salem’s gentle smile, soothed Tegan’s nerves. She rose from the seat and went over to the box.
“I don’t know why I am nervous,” she shook her head as she looked down at it.
“You can take them to your room if you want to do this in private?” Salem offered.
“No,” Tegan’s gaze flicked to him quickly, “I would like your opinion. I have never worn a dress – or been to a ball. I don’t know what’s expected of me.”
“Of course, I will be honoured to help.”
Tegan took her small knife from her inner sleeve out and opened the seal on the box, inside were clothes bags, folded atop one another. There were five in total. She pulled the bags out and laid them on the chair. Dried rose petals fell from the bags as they were lifted out, making it seem somehow more ethereal. “Will I open them one at a time, or do you want to help?” She looked between Martha and Salem uncertainly.
“Do it one at a time,” Martha answered with an excited twinkle. “You can take them in and see which one you like most.”
“Okay,” Tegan grinned suddenly. “This is sort of fun.”
Salem laughed as she eagerly picked up the first bag. Carefully unzipping it, Tegan pulled out a royal blue floor length gown. A one shouldered gown with a sweetheart neckline, gathering under the bust before falling in heavy folds to the floor.
“Oh my,” Tegan gasped. “It’s beautiful.”
“Oh Salem, remember,” Martha said to the Principal Elder, “Celeste wore this to Court when the Russian Headquarters came to Court, remember that horrid Elder, Valek?”
“I do, he was fixated on her the whole evening, until she reminded him, he was there with his spouse,” Salem smiled in remembrance. “The knife in her hand helped him on his way too.”
Tegan’s hands ran softly over the dress as she listened to the two Elders reminisce. She reached for the next bag. A deep red gown was uncovered, with capped sleeve, a square neck and a fuller skirt. A tiny crystal flower brooch sat on a thin belt.
“Cornelius’s betrothal to Delilah,” Salem murmured. “Matteo was furious remember that she wore the colour of neutrality to her brother’s betrothal.”
“My grandfather?” Tegan asked looking up questioningly.
“Yes,” Salem smiled at her.
Tegan nodded as she reached for the next bag. A white sequin halter-neck dress was unveiled, it was form fitting with a long split in the dress. “Wow, that’s some dress,” Tegan murmured.
“Cornelius’s final Trials celebration at Court,” Martha reached out and touched the slinky material. “Celeste wasverypopular that night, her dance card was full within minutes of arriving.”
“Yes, she turned heads that night,” Salem smiled in fondness.
Tegan reached for the fourth bag. When it was uncovered, she stood and looked at it in wonder. A rich black satin corset bodice, attached to a full ballgown skirt, a chiffon wrap accompanied it. “Wow.”