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Just then, the door knocker rapped the wooden front door.
“Tillie, Minnie, Ada, and Beryl, you take the first carriage,” Stella said hastily.
After those four left, ten remained, yet the anteroom was considerably quieter.
“I’d say this was a marked success, wouldn’t you, Stella?”
Sighing contentedly, she nodded. “How did you fare for the part where you were pressed and squeezed?”
“It was shockingly…vigorous.”
“Are we speaking of Sultan Hammam, or your visits to J.R.?”
Clara stifled a giggle. “How is it that I’ve broken more rules in the past days than I have in all my days prior?”
Stella regarded her enigmatically, then sipped her drink. “Is being here breaking the rules?”
“I sweated…I was touched—and not for necessary reasons! One could view it as obscene.”
“Isit?”
“If men frequent the hammam in broad daylight, and extoll its virtues for body and spirit, I should think it’s no less healthful for us.Andit felt…glorious.”
Stella’s smile was jaded. “What’s healthful for menisconsidered obscene for women, especially if it feels glorious. That said, I’ve heard the owners are considering a new hammam for ladies.”
“Oh?”
“Many physicians are among the clientele, and they believe the hammam to have curative powers for numerous ailments, including women’s.”
“If taking the odorous waters in Bath is permissible, why not visiting a Turkish bath?” Clara reasoned.
Stella nodded.
“Or sea bathing? How is this different, except that we needn’t remove from London to engage in it?”
“Indeed.”
“Did you see how freely Tillie was moving by the end of the visit? And just look at Del’s expression. Even if the effects are temporary, it’s a delight to behold.”
“I agree.” Smiling, Stella looked upon the residents with pride.
“Thank you for making this possible.”
“Thankyoufor the idea! And your funds!”
“You planned to be here on a night when you’d ordinarily be working. I’m grateful.”
Stella looked away. “You compensate me for my time working at Violet House.”
Clara scoffed. “We both know that you spend far more time at Violet House than our initial salary contemplated. It’s time to reconsider that, I should think. For now, please accept my thanks.”
“It was my pleasure. Truly! I found this delightful. And so did they,” she whispered, looking upon them again.
Clara watched as a resident pointed up at the ceiling in the anteroom. Her companions looked up and reacted with wonderment. Clara’s gaze followed theirs. The painted indigo sky and gilt stars looked real, down to the lantern light causing a twinkling effect.
While the residents marveled at the celestial ceiling mural, Clara was in awe of them—of the resilience and joy they’d shown today.
There must always be a Violet House.
