The next morning, an invitation arrived for Alina. Audrey's personal maid delivered it to her room.
Miss Alina Ashworth is cordially invited to tea with Her Highness Princess Audrey at four o'clock in her drawing room.
Alina stared at the note for a long time.
An invitation to a tea party with the ladies of the castle who looked at her as though she were something stuck to the bottom of their shoes.
She didn't want to go. But she also didn't want to hurt Audrey again. So she went.
Alina was walking to Audrey's drawing room, when Lady Pemberton and Lady Hargrove intercepted her in the corridor. They stepped into her path, blocking her way.
"So the bed warmer is attending the princess's tea now?" Lady Pemberton said, her sweet tone laced with venom. "Did you receive an invitation or did you just follow the scent of the pastries?"
Lady Hargrove laughed.
"Maybe she is confused," she said. "Not every room here is meant to be warmed."
Their laughter echoed in the corridor.
