บท 37: Late Summer Flowers

16 September, 1358. Magdaline Castle, Islia

Camilla watched as Katerine finished securing the flower crown to Elizabeth's head, admiring the result. They had chosen dahlias in different shades of orange, to complement the bride's dark hair and rust coloured velvet gown.

"You look beautiful, Bess." Camilla smiled at the nervous girl and squeezed her shoulders reassuringly. Meg and Katerine nodded in agreement.

The quartet of ladies were crammed into the bedchamber shared by Meg, Katerine and Elizabeth, though Elizabeth would be moving that very night into her new husband's rooms. There was sadness over the ladies being separated in their living quarters but Camilla was grateful Elizabeth's betrothed was based at court, and was happy for Elizabeth to continue as her lady-in-waiting.

Camilla knew that Elizabeth's betrothed had every right to demand his bride be placed in the service of a more prestigious mistress than a royal pariah.