Chapter 11 Into the Night

EVELYN

I stood there for a moment, utterly taken aback.

Mistress Anastasia wanted an audience with me?

When I stared at Mrs. Porter in confusion and remained frozen in place, the head maid glowered at me, her icy blue eyes flashing with disdain.

“Did you not hear her?” she demanded, gesturing at the dowager queen’s personal maid. “She told you the dowager queen requires your presence and you’re standing there like a bloody fool. Get properly dressed at once, Evelyn.”

Her glare grew deeper and a shiver, as well as a phantom pain, ran down my spine. I knew well what happened when orders were disobeyed, and I could not risk punishment at the hands of Mrs. Porter.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized quickly and offered them a small bow. “I will dress at once.”

As I turned on my heels, the maids closed the door to grant me some privacy, and I readied myself at once. I removed my nightgown and traded it for another dress, this one a deep navy blue. It was similarly simple as the dress I’d worn to the