Chapter 33: Spill The Tea

Each of the young lady candidates were gathered at the terrace, seated at a multitude of tables. Lady Finklehead and Paferster sat at the table with Lady Kelma Smiffleheim. Tilda was pouring tea for Lady Brigit Vanloy at the same table where sat Marley Von Garlikson.

Tilda kept up her guise as the simple maid while watching the castle doors. She thought, Any second now, Lady Cosaria and Kevler should enter and that will begin the test. The tea party gossip test.

The idea was to create a scenario for the young woman to gossip about and to observe how the young woman handled it. Would they gossip? What would they say/ Or would they simply sit back and listen? It was valuable insight in how the girls would act when Cosaria wasn't around.

Cosaria came out of the doors. As all eyes turned to look at her, she waved nervously. She walked stiffly towards one of the tables when Kevler approached her.

With desperation and a manly swoon to his tone, Kevler said, "Milady. I'm sorry for this intrusion, but I had to see you."

Tilda covered her mouth to hide her dropped jaw as she thought, His acting is so good.

Tilda had somehow managed to convince Kevler to participate in this false scenario. She wasn't sure why he had agreed so willingly, but seeing him performing so comfortably as center of attention, she guessed that he enjoyed the limelight.

With a mechanical manner, Cosaria said, "Not now Sir Knight." Her acting skills seemed to lack in comparison.

"Milady, please."

"Not now."

Cosaria had become stiff and rigid as she stared at him with no idea how to react. Kevler easily took the attention off of her, as he jerked his head back and hid tears.

Okay, now he's overdoing it, Tilda thought.

Kevler said, "So that's it then?"

Cosaria walked towards her seat, hoping that nobody noticed the nervous sweat coming down her face. Seeking reassurance, Cosaria glanced towards Tilda, but Tilda turned away, trying to hide from the onlookers.

Tilda thought, We planned all this and she has no idea what to do.

Kevler watched as Cosaria sat down at the table with Paggie and Finklehead. She tried to swallow but her throat was dry as a desert. She said, "Sorry for the delay. Let's begin."

Kevler stormed away in tears. An awkward silence overtook the garden as the girls pretended not to see what they just saw. None of them wanted to ruin their chances at being Cosaria's lady-in-waiting. Especially not when there was such juicy gossip to uncover.

While tea was being served, Lady Finklehead had noticed all the behind-the-scenes interactions. She studied Cosaria, then glanced at Tilda. This wasn't a traditional servant-master relationship. Her lips drew into a line as she relaxed back into her chair, thinking deeply upon all that she had witnessed.

It didn't take long before the ladies had all started chatting away like little birds. They talked of the weather, and the newest fashions, and of course, the royal family. Each seemed jittery and on their best behavior to make the best impressions.

Without warning, young maid Nelly approached Cosaria with an air of urgency. Nelly said, "Lady Cosaria, the head maid said a message came for you. She said it's urgent."

That was the cue.

"Oh yes. I'll come right away," Cosaria said as she stood up, "Forgive me. An urgent matter has arisen. I'll return shortly."

Without further discussion, Cosaria left the terrace.

And now the real test begins, Tilda thought. Who would gossip, and what would they say?

Almost as soon as Cosaria was out of earshot, the gossip began.

Kelma said, "Did you see that knight?"

Paggie conjectured, "Obviously a secret affair. I'm not surprised."

Tilda brought a full teapot and placed it on their table as Finklehead's eyes watched the maid carefully.

Kelma took no notice of the maid and said, "Wasn't she just recently married? I don't think she even had a debut ball."

Paggie nodded, "She hasn't. I would have known about it."

Kelma said, "What is she thinking? Her husband is known to be a murderous tyrant? Is it worth risking her life?"

Putting her tea cup down and glancing at the others, Paggie said, "She looks like such a bimbo, but there is obviously something sinister beyond that innocent demeanor of hers."

"Maybe that's what she wants you to think," Finklehead said as she met eyes with Tilda. Tilda raised her eyebrows curiously.

"Please," Paggie said, "I know a fake when I see it, and that lady is nothing but a con artist."

Takes one to know one, Tilda thought.

A terrible scream cut through the air, "AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

It was Lady Brigit Vanloy, with tea staining her dress another other table.

Standing above the unfortunate girl was Marley, holding out an empty tea cup.

Marley said, "Say it again! I dare you!"

From a window vantage point, Gordana had watched Marley pour tea on Brigit.

Gordana turned to a pageboy and said, "Oh, looks like there's been an incident. Send in Lady Cosaria."

The whole castle was in on the scheme to help the Duchess find a lady in waiting. It was the most exciting thing that had happened since Delrik had a gardener killed a few months back. There were rumors the man had been a traitor, but nobody knew for certain.

Back at the garden party, Brigit was appalled at Marley. She said, "How… how could you?!"

Marley said, "How could I? How could you? The way you were talking about the Duchess, oh man, you're lucky she doesn't throw you out on the spot!"

Brigit defended herself saying, "You know it's true! Lady Cosaria is having an affair.

"Even if it were true, and I doubt it, that's not something to blab on about. Did you never learn to hold your tongue?"

Cosaria quickly rushed into the situation asking, "Oh, my? What's, what seems to have happened?"

Brigit pointed at Marley and announced, "This country bumpkin threw tea on my dress!"

Marley spat back, "This city viper implied that you were unvirtuous."

Brigit said, "City viper!?"

Marley stuck out her tongue and hissed like a snake.

"I don't have to stand for these accusations! I'm leaving!"

As Brigid stormed away, Marley caught sight of Lady Cosaria. Marley said, "I'm telling the truth. She-!"

Cosaria said, "Lady Marley, I feel for your concern, but, maybe it's time to calm down now?"

Tilda heard Lady Kemla scoff, while the other young ladies glared at Marley with judging eyes. Marley's fierce temper turned to quick embarrassment.

Lady Finklehead commented, "Well, she's made quite the show of herself, hasn't she?"

Marley redded in shame.

Cosaria said, "How about we sit down now?"

Marley fixed her eyes on her little tea cup as she sat down. She was too embarrassed to look at anyone and she just wished everyone would stop looking at her.

Cosaria addressed the company, "Let's go on to have a fun tea party. Okay?"

Tilda was impressed, all things considering, Cosaria handled that very well.

A few of the candidates, anxious to please, were glad to help the party get back into swing.

Tilda was now ready to play her part, as she sighed while pouring Lady Finklehead's tea.

Tilda mumbled, "Shame about the misunderstanding."

Quick to catch on, Finklehead asked, "What misunderstanding?"

Tilda feigned surprise. "About the knight. He has a sick mother and has been entreating the Duchess for financial aid for days now. Though his timing is just terrible," Tilda lied.

Kelma's jaw dropped in shock while Finklehead said with narrowed eyes, "So that's how it is."

Tilda nodded then moved to the next table to serve them. Behind her she heard Paggie scoff, "She could have said something before."

With that the rumors immediately died down.

Meanwhile, Marley's lowered head stared absently into her empty cup. She thought, I've made a complete fool of myself. I messed everything up. I didn't show grace or tact AND I ended up making a scene. Oh man, what a pathetic excuse I am for a lady. At this rate I'll ruin everything. Maybe my sisters were right and it'd be better for me to just stay at home and not attract attention to myself.

༻✧༺

Cosaria paced around the drawing room, while Tilda sat comfortably on the couch. They were alone, as they assessed the results of the day's test.

Tilda said, "So that Lady Marley is shaping up to be a great candidate."

Cosaria said, "I sat at the table with Lady Paggie, she was so sweet and fun. I really liked her."

Paggie, Paggie, Paggie, Tilda thought, before she remembered, "You mean the silver haired girl?"

"Oh yes. She's so beautiful."

"My Lady, it would probably be best if you avoided her. She was quick to share her gossip about you."

Cosaria's face scrunched up, "No, that couldn't be. She was so nice."

"She's two-faced. She'll put on a good front but whatever honey words she says are fake."

Cosaria slouched, "Oh. I'll be more careful then."

Cosaria has such a hard time reading people. Tilda sighed. "What about Lady Finklehead? She was also at your table, wasn't she?"

"She was so quiet, and watched me like a hawk. It made me uncomfortable."

Tilda said, "I'm not sure about her either. I kept meeting her gaze and it was weird."

The two women sat thinking for a moment, before moving on and busying themselves with their next tasks.