'There is to be a wedding. You are to be the bridesmaids of the future Duchess of Vignere.
Jaspar suspected her face echoed the puzzled look on the faces of her fellow bridesmaids. It was Lady Felicity who asked. 'I did not know that Lord Beckhom was betrothed. Is not he to be the next Duke?'
'Indeed you are correct Lady Felicity. Lord Marcus Beckhom is soon to be the Duke of Vignery, but alas there are still portions of the population who support the tyrant and his lackeys. In order to placate these recalcitrants, the committee has decided the new Duke will marry the Lady Marie of Vignere, daughter of the late Duke. Then there can be no doubt that he is the legitimate ruler of this Duchy'
Jaspar felt herself gasp. She had not heard anything of the fate of her cousin. Lady Marie's non identical twin sister Lady Nanette of Vignere, had been stripped of her nobility and made into a commoner and was now called by her familiar name of Penelope, she was now Jaspar's maid. Jaspar had assumed a similar fate had befallen Lady Marie. Certainly neither Jaspar nor Penelope had seen or heard of Marie since the fateful night when the Keep had been overrun.
'You are surprised Lady Jasmine?' The Countess had observed Jaspar's reaction.
'I assumed that Lady Marie, had suffered the same fate as her sister. My maid has not heard anything of Lady Marie' Jaspar was sure the Countess understood the nuance of her statement.
'If I had my way that would be the case. Lady Marie has not been co-operative with the new government. She has refused to acknowledge the interim committee as the rulers of our land and has vowed to be a thorn in our sides. But alas, the committee cannot see past a pretty face and have decided to use the ladies heritage for our communal benefit. Once she is married to the Duke, her opinion will no longer matter. She will be subservient to her husband and his opinions will become hers. Her sole contribution to public life in future will to breed new heirs for our Duke'
'So why are we chosen to be her bridesmaids? I do not know this woman' said Lady Felicity.
'We must not allow her access to clandestine royalists as we have heard there has been a plot to aid her escape. Alas many of the other nobles are suspected of having such sentiments. Once she is married and bound to Duke Marcus her threat is vastly diminished' The Countess turned to Jaspar 'I am very happy to hear that the whereabouts of Lady Marie these last months has not become gossip amongst common servants'
'But why us? I do not know her either' exclaimed Lady Joanna
'You have been selected as you have shown to be loyal to the committee and represent the next generation of young noble women in our country. Ladies Jasmine and Felicity are inspiring examples of women who have risen from peasant origins to nobility, something that would not have been possible under the tyrant's regime. You are proof that hair colour alone does not make one noble. All three of you are betrothed to one of our young war heroes. Willingly betrothed I might add' The Countess met Jaspar's eyes, perhaps reminding her that she was not to protest. 'We want you to set the example for how young brides should behave. You are to befriend her, act as her bridesmaids this day and after the wedding become her ladies in waiting, Apartments will be provided for you here in the Keep'
Jaspar looked across at Lady Felicity. So she was elevated to nobility? Jaspar would not have guessed that. The young woman had given the impression that she was raised as a noble. 'Your Excellency. As you are aware I have other duties, I am not yet free to leave my current residence'
'Yes Lady Jasmine, I am well aware of your peculiar situation. Arrangements are in place to relieve you of your current duties. Fear not. I am sure you will be very happy with the new provisions'
The Countess continued 'The marriage ceremony will be public. Performed on the balcony of the Keep. The committee will be present. You must ensure that she does not cause a scene. Right! That's settled then! Come this way and meet the bride!'