116 Chapter 116

"Would you like to tell me what all this is?"

The wad of paper slapping against the surface of the dressing table raised such a cloud, Splendor thought the answer was obvious. Dust. Her nostrils tingled. She pushed a finger under her nose to stop herself sneezing. As for the wad itself? She cleared her throat.

"Leave us, Mrs. Ferret."

"Yes, milady ... "

"Stay where you are." Stillmore's voice was an abrasive murmur. Didn't anything really prick him? "I am the one who gives orders in this house."

"Yes, Your Grace." Mrs. Ferret set the beribboned hair comb Splendor had found impossible to resist, the robin's egg blue one with the tiny cream rosettes attached, down amid the dust bunnies. "If you say so. It's just I thought I was taking them from milady, here."

"A ... A ... Ach-" Splendor held her nose tighter, trying not to sneeze. "Ach ... Achhh ... "

"And will you stop sounding like a bleating cow?"