[VSM] R&D: Dinner
Following Linens:
I replace the pillows after she is gone, run my hands over the bed covers, straightening and smoothing as I go. I cannot bring myself to sit on the bed, nor to lay on it, until after our dinner.
Alessandra and Maria Costanza help me to dress. I follow Alessandra's instructions to lift my arm here, to turn there, wordlessly, wrapped in my own thoughts.
Dinner is long. We are entertaining the English... someone or other and the English titles are getting hopelessly tangled in my mind, like the fanciful knots the Scots seem to like so much. As each noble is introduced, I dutifully repeat the name, then promptly forget it. I carry on conversation between entertainments, trying to avoid referring to anyone by their titles.
As each course is brought out, I can see her hovering, tasting, always just out of the corner of my eye. I make excuses to look away from the English Lady I've been seated next to, to look over my shoulder to where she stands, hands on her hips. She looks away quickly each time I find a reason to look at her.
I count the hours until we are alone, and in the meantime, I can still taste her on my tongue.
I replace the pillows after she is gone, run my hands over the bed covers, straightening and smoothing as I go. I cannot bring myself to sit on the bed, nor to lay on it, until after our dinner.
Alessandra and Maria Costanza help me to dress. I follow Alessandra's instructions to lift my arm here, to turn there, wordlessly, wrapped in my own thoughts.
Dinner is long. We are entertaining the English... someone or other and the English titles are getting hopelessly tangled in my mind, like the fanciful knots the Scots seem to like so much. As each noble is introduced, I dutifully repeat the name, then promptly forget it. I carry on conversation between entertainments, trying to avoid referring to anyone by their titles.
As each course is brought out, I can see her hovering, tasting, always just out of the corner of my eye. I make excuses to look away from the English Lady I've been seated next to, to look over my shoulder to where she stands, hands on her hips. She looks away quickly each time I find a reason to look at her.
I count the hours until we are alone, and in the meantime, I can still taste her on my tongue.