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"Kartik. He's gone."
"Gone? Gone where?" Felicity asks, pulling on a stocking and examining it against the curve of her calf.
"Back to the Rakshana. I insulted him, and he left."
"What did you say?" Felicity asks.
"I told him I didn't even think of him as Indian."
"What is insulting about that?" Felicity says, not understanding. She removes the stocking and drops it on the floor. "Gemma, are we to go into the realms tonight? I want to show Pip my new gown and wish her a merry Christmas."
"It will be difficult to get away," I say. "Nonsense. There are always opportunities to escape from the chaperones. I've done it before."
"I wish to enjoy the ball," I say.
Felicity fixes me with a mocking smile. "You wish to enjoy Simon Middleton."
"I was rather hoping to dance with Tom," Ann admits.
"We'll go tomorrow," I say, throwing Felicity a bone.
"I hate it when you're this way. Someday, I shall have my own power, and then I will enter the realms any time I please," Felicity huffs.
"Felicity, don't be mad," Ann pleads. "It's just one night. Tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll go into the realms again."
She walks away, dismissing us. "I miss Pip. She was always game."
After Felicity's rude departure, Ann and I make small talk and spend time playing with ribbons. Then, as if nothing's happened at all, Felicity bursts through the doors along with Franny, who carries the blue silk dress gently across her arms.
"Oh, let's have a look, shall we?" Felicity exclaims.
Ann steps into the pooled fabric, snakes her arms through. Franny loops the small pearl buttons at the back. It's lovely. Ann twirls in it as if she can't believe the girl in the mirror could be her own reflection.
"What do you think?" I say, holding Ann's hair off her neck for a grand effect.
She nods. "Yes. I like it. Thank you, Felicity."
"Don't thank me. It will be pleasure enough to watch my mother's face fall."
"What do you mean?" Ann asks. "I thought you said she wouldn't care."
"Did I?" Felicity says, feigning surprise.
I flash Felicity a warning look. She ignores me and pulls out a burgundy velvet gown from the pile on the bed. "Franny? You're such a brilliant seamstress, I'm sure it would be no trouble at all for you to make a tiny adjustment to this gown. Why, I'm certain you could do it within the hour."
Franny blushes. "Yes, miss?"
"It's just that the bodice on this dress is far too prim for a young lady going to such a grand party. Don't you agree?"
Franny examines the bodice. "I suppose I could lower it just a bit, miss."
"Oh, yes, please! Straightaway,'' Felicity says, pushing Franny out the door. She takes over my spot at the dressing table and breaks into a wicked grin. "This should be quite amusing."
"Why do you hate her so?" I say.
"I'm growing rather fond of Franny, actually."
"I meant your mother."
