It took Vanessa a moment or two to get herself to answer the king. By this time, the woman's face had come into her sight, and it was not Lady Claudette like she had earlier assumed.
Vanessa quickly bowed in apology to both Theodore and the lady beside him. When her eyes met the woman's, her face became a fine sight of scarlet, which was easily concealed by the night.
She was embarrassed by the fact that she had been caught watching them. The lady beside the king did not bother to say anything, and it made Vanessa wonder if she was angry at her for interrupting them.
"Please pardon me." She begged. "I did not know you would be here." Her head hung low, not wanting to meet their gazes.
Theodore's eyes roamed Vanessa's full length. From her slightly disheveled hair to her shaking lips and then the length of her night dress before stopping at her bare feet. The water vessel in her hand did not miss the king's scrutiny.
