"No," Mia said the instant she entered the room. Tessa stared at her confused.
"No?"
"Madam wants you in the blue and silver one today," the maid said, crossing to her closet and pulling out a different gown.
"Why?" Tessa asked, frowning, but she let the younger women put the other gown away and began the lengthy process of donning the many layers of silver embroidered fabric. It was a very pretty dress, true, but not at all practical for day to day wear.
Mia shrugged. "Search me. I'm not here to argue with her." She began lacing up the corset, making Tessa gasp slightly. "Sorry," she said, not sounding sorry at all. Then she asked, "Did I see Tobias sneaking out of here?" Her tone was carefully casual.
Tessa flushed at the implication but said evenly, "Yes. He was just checking on me."
"Mhm." Mia didn't sound convinced, but to her relief she dropped the subject, chatting away easily as she helped Tessa finish dressing then moved on to her hair. "There," she said finally, sounding rather pleased with herself. "I'm not sure what Madam has planned for today, but you will look gorgeous doing it."
Tessa laughed and rolled her eyes. "Well thank you." She glanced in the mirror as she made her way toward the door, and had to admit her maid had done an excellent job. Her simple braid had been transformed into an elaborate collection of plaits and loops piled atop her head and trailing down her back. And the gown really was a work of art, deep blue silks with patterns like starlight picked across it in silver.
It made her nervous. Nateri only wanted her dressed this nicely for very distinct occasions. She put the thought from her mind and said, "I'm going down to breakfast. Have you eaten?" When the younger girl nodded she asked, "Would you mind checking on Tobias, then? He was going to use the baths, but it's a big house and he's barely been here a day..."
"Got it," Mia said with a smile, slipping past her out into the hall and toward the back stairs.
"And be nice!" Tessa called after her, heading for the other staircase. "He's a bit- shy."