“It’s The Heathen State,” said Elizabeth.

“Pardon me, my lady?” asked Lucas.

“The Heathen State, that’s the title of the book.”

“Really? I’m reading the same book too, my lady,” he lit up and continued on taking Elizabeth’s measurements of the limbs.

“What chapter are you in so far, mister Lucas?” Elizabeth interrogated.

“I’m in chapter twelve, Sir Paolo had-“

“Hush! I am still in chapter eight, mister Lucas, please do not spoil it to me,” Elizabeth interrupted as Lucas was measuring her left arm.

“My apologies, my lady, I’ll be shut as a clam.”

“No worries, I’m not angry mister Lucas, but I was surprised a man would be reading the same book. Noblemen are usually so busy jousting and hunting, perhaps they should learn a thing or two from you,” Elizabeth complimented as the tailor measured her right arm.

“Well, I am just a humble tailor, my lady. They fight wars and I make clothing, nothing more.”

“At least you made the world seem less lonely to me, I thought I’d never meet someone with the same interest as I do.”

“I’m glad that I had pleased you, my lady,” Lucas blushed.

Jane silently stood behind them, now looking down at the floorboards, as she listened to them, her husband’s voice sounded like he was younger, when they were younger. The tailor and his client conversed about their book, but Jane could not understand anything as if they had their own bubble and she was watching them from the outside. If only she accepted Lucas’ offer to read with him, then she thought she would not feel isolated from her own husband.

“All done,” said Lucas, “please choose a color and fabric of your liking, my lady.”

The servants lined up holding the fabrics and rolled it down. Elizabeth started inspecting starting from the fabric that Jane was holding, which was olive green colored silk, to the left where the servants lined up and at the end was the lead servant holding blue colored silk.

Elizabeth pointed out the colors- emerald, navy blue, violet, and yellow. Lucas took notes of the lady ordered six dresses, two of which would have two colors combined. Lucas gave them a gesture and then Jane and the servant began rolling them up.

“Miss Jean will hand you the pay for your services today,” Elizabeth said and pointed at the lead servant.

“It’s a pleasure conversing and doing business with you, my lady. My wife and I are grateful for your patronage.”

Jean led the couple and the servants out of the room and back to the front of the castle. Lucas was given his pay and the stable returned his cart. The servant and the tailor’s wife packed the fabrics and chest back on the cart. As the horses pulled the cart away from the castle, Jane noticed the guard staring at her continuously until they lost sight of the castle.