Literally. She needed to prepare her for such an outcome. “Have you ever kissed a boy, Veronica?”
“Pardon?”
“You heard me, Veronica.”
“Oh…um” Veronica looked down at her shoes and reached up and twirled a strand of hair about her finger. “Once.”
“Delightful, was it not?”
“But it is not right unless you are wed. Isn’t it?” Her huge brown eyes snapped up to Grace’s again.
“I realize this is a lot of information for you to absorb, but we need to get you masked and veiled and ready before someone walks in here and sees you.”
Veronica sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, dear.”
“Come with me.” Grace held out her hand. “I will get you turned about.”
3
The Intersection
After trying several doors to apparently the wrong room, Lilly followed Grace into a well-appointed room with light blue and green cloth on the walls. She stood absolutely still a foot into the room. She inhaled a breath and tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. Her gaze darted around the bedchamber.
Off to one side was a large wooden bed, covered in deep bluish purple silk, and a swath of purple gauze hung by the headboard. In the middle of the room was a thick, circular grass-green pillow. The pillow was larger than anything she’d seen. Surely, it could hold five or so people lying down.
Lilly stared at the tufted cushion. After being cramped up in the blanket box for so long, stretching out on a divine pillow would be decadent. A sigh pressed past her lips.
What was she thinking? Her hands trembled and she shook her head. Silly, foolish girl. She needed to find her brother and then leave this house. Not nap here. She would be entirely ruined if it was discovered she attended this…this…ball? What a jest—could simply being here ruin her if no one knew of her folly?
She turned toward the woman who led her to this room. She stood, smiling at her. Grace. That was what she called herself. Lilly’s brow drew tight. She appeared nothing like a Grace. She was more of an Olivia or an Elizabeth or a Helene. She was something classic, simple but sophisticated.
Grace certainly was a lady and all those things her name suggested, but she also was scandalous…Lilly fidgeted with the fabric of her skirt.
Were many of the women who attended these events ladies of the ton? Women whom she would admire and see as mentors when she finally entered society?
Green pins held Grace’s brown hair away from her face. With each turn of her head, her hair shimmered red in the candle glow. Her eyes were not green and not blue. Beauty glowed about her, though not in a strikingly handsome kind of way. She radiated sincerity and goodness. Lilly’s brows drew together. What a puzzle Grace made.
“This, I surmise, is Emma’s room, Veronica.”
Lilly swallowed hard; she would burst into flames and be sent straight to hell. She stood in Emma Drundle’s bedchamber. Never, never, never in her life…she sighed as her stomach tensed in panic. Lilly, calm yourself. The situation is as it is. It could be much worse, you could be…. She closed her eyes. No, there was no worse. Society would outcast her and she would have to become an Emma Drundle. Her breath caught in her throat in shock and her hand flew to her mouth.
“Emma should have something here for you to wear, Veronica. Things are not as bad as you think. Though we certainly need to get you out of those clothes, you have mud spattered up your petticoats and you are dressed beyond proper for an event such as this.” Grace walked toward the large clothes chest set against the one wall. She opened the doors and pulled out a crushed red silk cape. “This shall do nicely. We will find a mask and one of Emma’s bloomers to wear with your corset and you shall fit in while you search for what you wish.”
Emma’s red cape? A corset and bloomers? Oh, no. Oh, no. Where was her soul about to head? “R-red b-bloomers? I have never worn such a garment.” Calm, Lilly. Calm. You have not burst into flames…and this woman wants to help you.
“Red will have to do. Emma wears so much of it. Besides, it will go lovely with your black hair and complexion. Bloomers are comfortable and becoming fashionable.” Grace pulled out a black-and-white mask made of fabric that had small crystals dangling from the eyes, as if tears.
It would cover Lilly’s eyes. Half black, half white, the mask shimmered theatrically. Maybe this would not be so bad.
A white set of bloomers came next, which was embroidered with small black flowers about the knees. “There is something every woman should know. It is and will be hard to understand at this moment, but I want you to be protected if you should try any of what you see this night.”
“Try? Oh, no. I could never partake in anything here. I will simply find my brother and leave as quickly as possible.”
“You may be surprised, Veronica. Some of what you see may fascinate you. It is perfectly normal to wish to watch. No harm beyond education can happen from you observing.”
That was true, and she did want to understand why her brother was here. Maybe, as she said, observing would be all right for a few moments.
“You said you have kissed a man. When you did so, I imagine your heart sped and you felt odd between your legs.”
Lilly nodded.
“Have you created that sensation on your own, Veronica?”
Heat washed Lilly’s face. My God, how did she end up here talking about her private acts? She fidgeted with her hands and bit her lower lip.
“I will take by the delightful rosy color that has infused your face that indeed you have. It is normal, and all part of how men and women find pleasure together. You need to understand, though, Veronica, men and women want to futter and the act is also pleasant for all involved.”
She turned around and walked to a table where a bowl of lemons resided. She picked one up and walked back toward Lilly. “What do you know of bearing a child?”
“I watched my maid in the woods, and a local farmer’s wife through the window once.” Goodness, what was she about to talk about? She simply wanted to find Brian and leave. “Grace, I simply wish to prove to myself my brother is indeed not who the townsfolk say he is, and rather who I believed him to be.”
Grace frowned. “Your brother is your brother. He is who you know him to be, as well as who he is here. Try to remember that as you venture into this house.” She walked the last bit that separated them and raised her hand. Grace’s fingers glided down Lilly’s cheek and under her chin in a gentle caress—like none Lilly had experienced before. “Lemons prevent children, Veronica. Remember that if you so choose to participate tonight. Simply place half of one of these in your private place to prevent any evidence of scandal. That is all I wish to say to you.”
“Lemons!” What was Grace talking about? “Pardon? I simply don’t understand.”
“I can show you if you wish. Or I can help you put one in and show you how to take it out.”
“What?”
