anything

It was the

she did. Maria saw the smile change to a frown.
“And where are you going?” demanded the cause of the frown. The willowy-figured woman who had come into the hall looked every inch a wealthy Case Vecchie. Maria guessed her at mid to late twenties. Her complexion was as flawless as a master of the paintbrush and rouge pot could make it, except that she had a little mole on her cheek, just above the rosebud mouth. It seemed to accentuate the perfection. Her hair too was a lustrous black, dressed into a perfect frame for her face. She looked as sour as vinegar, despite her beauty.
“Out, Alessandra.” Kat’s face had closed down. There was now no expression on it at all. “Family business.”
Alessandra looked as if she’d just swallowed a cup of gall. “What nonsense!” she snapped. “This trollop is no family of ours. And why is she wearing your best gown?”
“My mother’s family. And Maria spilt wine on her gown. It’s in that bag.” Kat pointed to the bag at their feet. It actually contained a hooded cloak.
Alessandra sniffed. “Oh. I didn’t know we had anything to do with