Proper Books for Young Ladies

Writers: Bree, Yvonne
Date Posted: 30th October 2005

Characters: Gevina, Mariss
Description: Gevina lends Mariss a book
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 8, day 16 of Turn 3

Mariss hummed quietly to herself as she headed down the hall toward the Ladies' quarters, swinging the package she carried at her side. Thankfully it was too early in the morning for anyone to be in the Solar - after her unceremonious banishment, the young woman felt uncomfortable about entering the room at all. **Stupid Lady,** she thought, **And that used to be my favorite place to read, too!** But she couldn't summon up the bitterness she used to feel, not after Calanna's death. The Hold seemed cursed.

Gevina's rooms were near the entrance to the hall; Mariss took a moment to make sure that her hair hadn't escaped _too_ much from her braid before knocking. Hopefully it was early enough in the morning that she hadn't left for breakfast yet, or it would be a challenge to track her down.

The door opened after a moment, showing Gevina holding her tiny daughter against her shoulder. She smiled when she saw Mariss and nudged the door open a little wider with her hip. "Come in! I'm sorry, Nakina is having a fussy morning."

"That's all right." Mariss slipped inside and looked about curiously.
She hadn't been inside Gevina's rooms since the Lady had arrived. "I won't take up much of your time, but Da sent me to deliver a package.
It came on the caravan late last night." She hefted the package with one hand. "I think it's books."

"Oh!" Gevina's smile widened. "Come in... I'll set Nakina down."

Mariss closed the door behind herself and placed the package on a nearbytable. She was glad that Gevina had invited her in - hopefully she'd open the package while she was there. Books were always of interest, and although she'd seen the other woman reading on more than one occasion she hadn't had the nerve to approach her and ask her about it. "You've decorated very nicely in here."

Gevina glanced around as she set Nakina into her cradle. "Oh, it's not much... I didn't have much to do in my husband's hold _but_
decorate, so I kind of got in the habit."

"Well, it's much nicer than what Da and I've got." Perhaps she'd raid the store-rooms for some fabric for new curtains or something... "It makes it seem very cozy in here."

"Well, if you ever need some advice..." Gevina rolled her eyes. "It's all us well bred ladies are supposed to be good for, you know. Having babies and making things pretty."

"And dancing." "Dancing?" Gevina echoed, sounding amused.

"You all know how to dance very well." Mariss shrugged, then changed the topic. "Do you order many books?"

"Oh, sometimes..." After the incident with Lady Enriline, it seemed wise not to make too big a production out of exactly what _sort_ of books she ordered, though.

"You're very lucky. I get to paw through whatever's at the Gather. Da orders a few for himself and comparing the catalogues to Gather stalls is like comparing a Hold banquet to a cot holder's breakfast."

"Well, these aren't the sort of books that your father would probably buy," Gevina said vaguely, unwrapping the package. "My sisters and I used to read them..." At night. By glowlight, when their parents were asleep.

Mariss' curiosity was piqued. Cyrek was, in her opinion, a very open-minded reader, and she couldn't think of anything off-hand that he _wouldn't_ read. "Oh?"

"Oh, it's silly." She opened the first book and scanned the first page. "I'm sure a Steward would have more important things to read!"

"Good thing I'm not a Steward, then," Mariss replied.

Gevina glanced at Mariss with a mischievous smile. "Well, you're welcome to borrow one, but... well, you have to promise not to let Lady Enriline see it. She doesn't quite... approve."

Mariss' eyes lit up. Disapproval gave the book an exciting, taboo flavor that she liked very much. Never the less, she tried to remain nonchalant about it. "I suspect that Lady Enriline doesn't approve of me much to begin with. I do far too many 'manly' tasks... and I hardly ever see her anyway. I'd love to borrow one, if I may."

Tucking her new prizes under her pillow, Gevina went to a trunk at the side of the room and opened it up. "Pick any one you like." "Shells!" Mariss was astounded at the number of books - all of them bound if stiff paper and adorned with bright and somewhat... romantic woodcuts. There was one of a man with a ripped shirt fighting a wild feline barehanded while a woman cowered off to one side, displaying what Mariss was sure was a scandalous amount of leg. Another showed a man and a woman locked in a passionate embrace, and a third showed a man and a woman clinging to the back of a runner while ominous shapes lurked in the dark forest behind them. It was overwhelming, so she chose one at random. "Is this one good?"

"Oh, I think they're _all_ good," Gevina replied with a smile. "Or at least, they're all entertaining!"

"I promise to get it back to you in good condition." Mariss stood, holding her prize close to her chest. "Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome. Just remember..." Gevina winked. "It's our little secret!"

Last updated on the October 30th 2005

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