Suzanna was determined even in the face of Gwenllian’s obvious indifference, and was busy remarking on how they must find a girdle and a veil for her hair that would look well with the gown, when the draper unfolded a length of cloth that stopped her words with a gasp. Even Gwenllian could find nothing to say as she stared hard at it.

It was a red silk, deeper than any red she had ever seen. Even she could see that it would look very well with her coloring. But it was the pattern woven into it that robbed her of her words. In gold and silver thread, an uncluttered design featuring vines and leaves winding around pomegranates repeated over the fabric, interrupted only by a narrow strip at the hem where the weaver had cleverly left the red silk bare in the shape of a dragon. A red dragon, the symbol of Wales, repeated discreetly all along the border.

She would wear red dragons. He had purchased it.

“This for the veil, and I will lend you my coronet of rubies. Is a small thing, but it will look very well with a gown from this fabric. The king and queen will be in attendance, you would not wish to seem beggarly.” Suzanna had regained her breath and used it to launch into plans for the gown and sigh over the silk.

It would not do to draw attention to her Welsh pride by remarking on the dragons, but she could not look away until the draper said, as if it was a secret he shared with her, “My lord asked to see fabrics of red fit for a lady. This one did he choose from among them, and purchased it ere any other might. Many would, as it is very fine, my lady, but if you would desire to see others—”

“No.” She cut him off sharply and forced herself to look away from it. “I could not choose better. What cloth think you best for my shift? Something cool for this summer weather.”

In the end, Suzanna was a better judge, and so chose everything of consequence. Gwenllian offered to write out a receipt for burnet tonic and its uses, as well as many other such herbs as she knew of, if only Suzanna would agree to ensure this gown and two others were made ready in time for her departure to Morency. It was a fair exchange, except that Gwenllian had no talent in either drawing or describing the plants. But as Suzanna could not explain why she must have a separate night shift instead of simply wearing her undertunic for sleeping, they both were forced to make allowances for mystery. In this way, they passed the time while Gwenllian waited for word from her mother.