"Thank you," Alessandra said to the maid who had led her to where Hazel and the other women were seated.
"Your coat, Duchess."
"Oh right. Here you go," Alessandra took off the coat and handed it to the young maid for safekeeping.
Alessandra walked into the room with her head held high ignoring the stares and hushed conversations now that she was here. They could speak about her for all she cared.
"Duchess," Hazel called and waved to get Alessandra's attention. "You are seated at this table."
Hazel was not in charge of who was in attendance but she made sure she would have Alessandra by her side. Linda was still out of town with her father so Hazel mostly had Alessandra to be herself with and knew she wasn't being used. Many of the young women present hardly cared about Hazel and only wanted to be seen with the queen.
