Chapter Thirty-Three

I hid in my room for as long as I could. I didn't want to come out and go to dinner, but I didn't really have a choice. Dinner was already scheduled to be a celebratory meal in the dining room. The king and queen mother were to be there.

Except we didn't have anything to celebrate. I'd failed my job today.

I put on clean clothes. Sophie had laid out a tea length dark blue dress with lace overlay and long sleeves this morning. I wore it with stockings, as per her instructions. I put my hair up in a neat bun, hoping that the simple style would be acceptable. My makeup was light and natural, just the way Sophie had taught me.

At least I could do that right.

A knock on my door summoned me to dinner.

“It's time, Ms. Miller,” Mr. Irson's voice called through the door.

I hurried over and opened it.

“Thank you,” I told him. “I'm mostly ready.”

He smiled and looked me over. “You look lovely,” he said. He frowned slightly at my feet. “No heels?”

I shook my head. “Not if I don't want to embarras