Michael Manning - Mageborn - The Blacksmith’s Son

I counted out the money and handed it over and Rose gave me a pat on the shoulder, “That’s a good man. When I’m done you won’t regret it. Just be glad I’m not charging you for my services.”

They left then, Rose taking Penny by the arm. I swear I could hear them laughing as they walked down the hall. Once they had gotten back to the rooms Rose was staying in she proceeded to show Penny a selection of dresses. She had packed with the intention of being ready for anything.

Penny was concerned, “These are much too fine for me Rose.”

“As long as you aren’t better dressed than me, nothing is too good for you my sweet,” Rose said with a twinkle in her eye. “We might have to have the seamstresses in to raise the hem a bit, the length is ok on you, but we need to show a bit more of your ankle for the proper impact.”

“If you don’t mind my asking Rose, what will we use the money for? If you’re lending me one of your dresses surely that’s all we need?” Penny asked.

“I’m thinking of the future, particularly yours,” Rose replied. Wasting no time she sent one of the servants out to fetch a dressmaker. Once the woman had arrived she began discussing fabrics and styles. Several hours went by as Rose ordered a bewildering array of things, from blouses to garters, nightgowns and skirts. At the end she had agreed to pay the woman almost five gold marks for an impressive selection of clothes, winter and summer dresses, and even ball gowns.

“It’ll take me several weeks to manage all this milady,” the woman said.

“That’s fine, just be sure to send along the nightgowns and house-clothes first, she’ll need those as soon as possible.” Rose paid her then, never thinking to consider she might be cheated. Penny realized that she wouldn’t be. You don’t cheat nobility, not if you want more business; not if you want to continue eating.

“What’s the rest of the money for?” Penny said, and Rose gave her a sly grin, handing her the remaining money.

“I can’t take this! It's not my money,” she protested.

“You are a lady now, or soon will be. As a Countess you will need to know how to handle yourself with money. Even more so you must never be perceived as having to count pennies. Use it, waste it, make sure people see it, and don’t ever act as though you need it.” Rose gave her a serious look, “I’m not joking. Your future will rely on learning these things. As soon as you have that boy of yours wed, make sure he gives you an allowance. If people suspect he’s being cheap with you they will think he’s broke. If they think he’s broke things will get hard for him. Never let them smell blood.”

Penny could see the sense of her words, but she felt like a fraud. She had no intention of marrying Mordecai now, she would not live out the week, much less see the day those clothes Rose had ordered arrived. Yet she had to keep up the pretense. If Rose caught wind of her plan it would be all over.

They went back to the ball gowns again. “Rose, this might sound odd, but I don’t feel safe going to the ball without Mordecai, do you suppose I might… carry something?” She gave the woman an uncertain glance.

Rose understood immediately, “Oh my, I would tell you that you have nothing to fear, but I know why you feel as you do.” She went back to her closet. She returned with another dress, this one had long flowing sleeves a contrast to the others which had had close fitting sleeves. “This will do the trick, though it’s a shame, you have such pretty arms.”

In truth Penny liked the other dresses better, but function would be more important tomorrow evening, “So how do the sleeves help?” she asked.

Rose gave her a feral grin, “I take it you want to carry a dagger correct?”

Penny nodded.

“And considering your feelings, something like this probably wouldn’t be enough,” she plucked a small slender knife from her bodice.

“Do you always carry that?!” Penny was a bit shocked.

“Just because I said you were safe doesn’t mean a girl shouldn’t be prepared. But if you want to carry something more serious,” she walked over to a trunk and began rummaging before standing back up, “like this.” She held a double edged dagger with a seven inch blade, “You’ll need sleeves, big sleeves. Here let me show you.” She brought out an odd scabbard for the dagger, with several straps attached.

“So you strap it to your wrists?” Penny didn’t know what to think of this noblewoman who suddenly seemed so intimately familiar with blades.

“Ordinarily yes, but not for a dance. You’ll be lifting one arm up, to rest on a gentleman’s shoulder and your sleeve may slide back. Plus he might feel it when he touches your wrist, so the forearm is a fashion no-no.”

“Oh.”

“There are two main ways for a lady to wear something as considerable as this. The first is strapped to your leg, either the calf, or the inner or outer thigh. The calf is impractical if you wish to use it quickly, and the outer thigh will spoil the lines of some dresses. The inner thigh is my preference, but it can be awkward, especially if you’re dancing. Plus the dress needs to be designed for it, like this…” She slid her hand between the pleats of her skirt and brought out a dagger similar to the one she had gotten for Penny. A hidden slit in the dress allowed her to reach her leg.

“Good lord Rose, you’re a walking arsenal!” Penny exclaimed.

“And don’t you forget it,” Rose winked at her.

“Have you ever needed one? To use?” Penny was curious.

“Not yet, usually you can discourage even the worst of them before it comes to that, but it pays to be prepared.” Rose discussed the topic with a casual nonchalance that Penny could not help but envy.

“So how will I wear this one, so that I can dance?” Penny asked.

“Here,” Rose pointed to the inside of her upper arm. “It won’t be entirely comfortable but your partner won’t feel it and if your sleeve slides back it won’t be revealed. Put on the dress and I’ll show you how it works.” They got Penny into the dress, which took several minutes, but it fit well. “Now, we strap it to the inner side of your upper arm, with the hilt down. The sheath is built to hold it in even in that position. Show me how you will draw it if you need.”

Penny thrust her right hand up the left sleeve and grabbed for the handle. “No no!” Rose remonstrated. “You do that and he’ll be three feet back and calling for his mother to save him.”

Penny laughed at the image, “Isn’t that the point, to warn him off?”

Rose shook her head, “Not publicly, you’ll wound his pride and earn yourself a bad reputation. If you do need it you want to have the blade against his skin before he realizes it, so you can quietly make him aware of your feelings. Once he’s admitted defeat you can replace it and no one is humiliated… publicly.”

The methods Rose described suited Penny’s purpose perfectly, although she did not mean to use the blade for self-protection.

Rose went on, “As a woman you have to remember, if he catches on to your intentions you lose most of your advantage. He’s bigger, stronger, and possibly quicker. Put your hands together, gracefully… then slide them to your elbows, as if you are thinking, or perhaps cold. From there you can easily grasp the hilt.”

Penny couldn’t help but wonder how she would do that while dancing, but she didn’t dare ask. That question might be too direct, so she asked a different question. “Rose, do all noblewomen carry weapons?”

Rose snorted, “No, only the smart ones.”

“Who taught you all this?” Penny added.

“My mother,” and then she regretted it when she saw the look on Penny’s face. She had already heard of Penny’s own loss. “Penny, this may sound odd, but if you will have me, I already consider you a sister.”