The maid looked around the cabin reserved for The Veiled Lady and her duenna, there were gossamer curtains layered within the doorway and over the portholes in both stateroom cabins. The French doors looking out on the deck were also covered with lovely silk curtains that obscured the view, but did not block the light.
Everything was as had been requested in the letter the maid kept tucked in her crisp white linen apron’s pocket. The portholes were open to fresh air, there were lamps of perfumed oils hanging from the ceiling, and extra feather mattresses on the large bed, draped with iridescent white silk.
There were plants everywhere the maid could fit them as well as cut flowers on every table. The desk had several lamps hanging from the ceiling, and a crystal ink bottle with new pen on the mahogany writing surface. The whole rooom had been scented by simmering lavender flowers overnight.
The duenna’s room was the far opposite, no satin or silk curtains, no scented linens, not even a mattress on the bed. A wooden plank set on blocks with a dense woolen blanket and there was not even a pillow to soften the austere features.
AS she closed the door, she slipped the special gloves enclosed wuth the letter in the same pocket as the letter itself.
The Veiled Lady's Cabin 