“Of course. Forgive me for taking up your valuable time. Still, if you should perhaps mention me to Her Eminence and let her know I would very much like to visit with her …”

“I will, Your Lordship. Now, if you’ll excuse me …”

Amilia hurried back and found that the seamstress had finished the collar, which was tall and did indeed keep her chin up. The addition looked horribly uncomfortable. Modina, of course, didn’t seem to care. The cobbler, however, was still working on her shoe.

“What’s going on here?” she asked.

“The new heel he put on was taller than the other,” Nimbus told her. “He tried to resize, but in his haste he over-compensated and now it is shorter.”

Amilia turned to Anna. “How long do we have?”

“About fifteen minutes,” she replied gloomily.

“What about the headdress? I don’t see it.”

“It was not in the bedroom, or hall, my lady.”

Anna’s face drained of color. “Oh dear Maribor, forgive me. I forgot all about it!”

“You forgot? Nimbus!”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Run to the milliner and fetch the headdress, and when I say run, I mean sprint, do you hear me?”

“At once, my lady, but I don’t know where the milliner shop is.”

“Get a page to escort you.”

“The pages are all busy with the ceremony.”

“I don’t care! Grab one at sword point if necessary. Find one who knows the way and tell him it’s by order of the empress and don’t let anyone stop you. Now move!”

“Anna!” Amilia shouted.

“Yes, milady.” The maid was trembling, in tears. “I’m so sorry, milady, truly I am.”

“We don’t have time for apologies or tears. Go to the empress’s bedroom and fetch her day shoes. She’ll have to wear them instead. Do it now!”

Amilia slammed the door behind them and gave it a solid kick in frustration. She leaned her forehead against the oak as she concentrated on calming down. The gown would cover the shoes. No one would know the difference. The headdress was another matter. They had worked on it for weeks and the regents would notice its absence. The milliner’s shop was out in the city proper, and she had left it to Anna to pick up. She could really blame only herself. She should have asked about it earlier and was furious at her incompetence. She kicked the door once more, then turned around and slumped to the floor, her gown ballooning about her.