Having three girls to do one's hair in elaborate styles afforded one plenty of thinking time while curls were curled and braids braided.
Ariane was a problem. Not an insurmountable problem, of course. Nothing was insurmountable, not for Rhaena Burnie. Elliot Gahald, on the other hand, was a perfect success. If only there had been no interference with Ariane... but that was done and over. Elliot was exactly as he ought to be, her perfect knight.
Except for one thing.
At first she'd thought the girl wouldn't be a problem. Elliot would be a good influence on her and she would take her place with little trouble. That had not happened. But Elliot was still infatuated. That was not acceptable. The girl was not good enough for her knight. No, he needed someone better. It wouldn't take but a little more tweaking, just a little nudge. Satisfied, the elegant woman smiled to herself.
Petronela Kaczmarek.