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"Of course we can," Felicity whispers. "Just before intermission, tell your grandmother that you must be excused for the dressing room. Ann and I shall do the same. We'll meet in the hall and find a place where we can enter the realms from there."
"It isn't that simple," I say."She won't let me go, not alone."
"Find a way," Felicity insists.
"But it wouldn't be proper!"
"Afraid of what Simon will think? It isn't as if you're betrothed!" Felicity tut- tuts.
The comment lands like a blow. "I never said anything of the sort."
Felicity smiles. She knows she's won. "So we are agreed. Just before intermission. Do not delay."
The plan in place, we turn our attention to the mirrors, positioning combs and smoothing dresses.
"Has he tried to kiss you?" Felicity asks in an offhand manner.
"No, of course not," I say, embarrassed. I hope no one has overheard her.
"I should be careful," Felicity says. "Simon has a reputation as a ladies' man."
"He's been the perfect gentleman with me," I protest. "Hmmm," Felicity says, her eyes on her reflection, which is fetching, as always.
Ann's pinching her cheeks in vain, hoping to raise color there. "I hope I shall meet someone tonight. Someone kind and noble. The sort who likes to help others. Someone like Tom."
Two angry red welts crisscross near her wrist bone. The marks are new, perhaps a few hours old. She's cut herself again. Ann sees me looking and her freshly pinched cheeks pale. Quickly, she pulls her gloves on, covering the scars.
Felicity leads the way out, greeting a friend of her mother's near the door. I grab Ann's wrist and she winces.
"You promised me you'd stop doing that," I say.
"What do you mean?"
"You know very well what I mean," I warn.
Her eyes find mine. She wears a sad little smile."Better that I hurt myself than be hurt by them. It stings less."
"I don't understand."
"It's different for you and Fee," Ann says, nearly crying. "Don't you see? I have no future. There's nothing for me. I'll never be a great lady or marry someone like Tom. I can only pretend. It's horrible, Gemma."
"You don't know what will be," I say, trying to soothe. "No one knows."
Felicity's noticed we're not beside her and comes back for us. "What is the matter?"
"Nothing," I say brightly. "We're coming." I take Ann's hand. "Things can change. Repeat it."
"Things can change," she parrots quietly.
"Do you believe that?"
She shakes her head. Silent tears trickle down her round cheeks. "We'll find a way. I promise. But first, you must promise me you'll stop. Please?"
"I'll try," she says, brushing a gloved hand against her damp face and forcing a smile.
"Here is trouble," Felicity says as we rejoin the throng in the lobby. I see what she means. It's Cecily Temple. She stands beside her mother, craning her neck, looking this way and that in hopes that she will see someone of interest.
Ann's in a panic."I'll be found out! Ruined! It will be the end for me."
