Chapter NineI knocked on the closed door of the children’s dressing room, careful not to touch the leaden doorknob so I wouldn’t be distracted by the magic’s gilding effect.
‘What?’ shouted a child’s voice.
‘Je suis Mademoiselle Muchamore,’ I said, feeling my stomach drop in anticipation of further rudeness. Images of neatly-dressed children with faces eager to learn surfaced in my mind and I dismissed them with an effort. ‘Je suis votre gouvernante.’
I heard hasty whispers, followed by the same voice. ‘Speak English and we’ll let you in.’
‘Please may I come in and assist you?’ I said carefully.
‘Hurry up.’
I walked inside to a room strewn with silk, satin, fur, lace and muslin. Three children sprawled on piles of freshly-pressed dresses and trousers, scowling. Two girls and a boy. A
