Chapter Forty - Choices

Isabel was dismayed to see the two piece costume which Queen Clara had ordered to be stitched specially for them to wear at the next gladiator contest. The top was designed to come away without too much trouble in a style called, “à la Rouen”.

“It won’t make you a beauty,” the Dowager Queen had told her, rudely. “But then, nobody will be looking at your face.”

As usual Ava leapt to her defence.

“That was a mean thing to say, Your Majesty.”

“One more word from you girl and you will be flogged beside Eithne. Where is my disgusting daughter these days? Whoring around, no doubt.”

The two princesses exchanged worried glances. Megan seemed at a loss and so it was Becca who provided the distraction.

“Yellow is such an ugly colour. I’m not wearing it, and that’s final.”

“Very well, my dear. Do without. I’m sure a nubile young nude like you will raise many a staff.”

“You must concede,” Isabel urged. “A horrible garment is better than nothing.”

“Horrible, you say? Someone else appears to be itc