Lillian seemed immune to the racket. “Looks like waistlines are dropping,” she muttered. “And skirts will be”—she waved her hand in the air as she munched on a scone—“fuller.” She peered down her body. “I have quite slim hips. Do you think fuller skirts will show my figure off to advantage? Or not?”
Jane moved a piece of paper over her letter. “You’ll look lovely in whatever you wear. You always do.”
Lillian put the book down with a huff. “Come. Study with me. You appear done with your correspondence.”
“I am.” Jane removed the paper from its hiding place and folded it into a crisp, tight square. The better to hide it. The better to send it. “I’d rather not study—what is it—fashion? Why are you studying fashion?”
“I’ve decided to imitate your example.”
“I’m a bit terrified to ask. In what way?”
“Daring yourself to do things that require courage.”
And once more, her daring had led nowhere good. But she shut the door on her disappointment and focused on her friend.
“I’m all curiosity, Lillian. You must tell me.”
Lillian traced the rim of her teacup. “I’ve decided to become next season’s incomparable.”
Jane felt very much awake now. “No! Oh… I do not mean you should not. I’m simply shocked is all.” She placed her cup on the table and stared into the murky liquid. “You do not have to be an incomparable, you know. I like you the way you are. Many people like you the way you are.”
Lillian continued tracing her cup. “I think I like me, too. Most of the time. I like me much better when I’m not scared to speak up or stand out. I think I need to try this.” She pickedLa Belle Assembleback up. “And I will need this to get my armor correct.”
“Armor?”
“Mm. Yes. Gowns, finery, it’s all merely armor to protect us from the withering glances of theton. If we get it right, their glares melt, replaced by fawning smiles.” She waved her hand in the air, her gaze turning to the magazine’s pages. “There will be more to it, of course, but I’ve decided it’s best to start here.”
“I must admit,” Jane said, “I’m quite impressed.” She eyed her friend’s elegant figure, the pink roses in her cheeks, her tamed yellow hair, and brown eyes. Not quite brown. Bit of a golden spark there. Not surprising. Everything about Lillian was golden. Jane grinned. “I’m entirely confident you’ll succeed. You are already beautiful and will not have much about you to transform. Do let me help. If I can. Not having taken with theton, in fact having scandalized theton, I’m more likely to hurt your chances than help them.”
Lillian’s hand rested atop Jane’s. “If your friendship is so risky, then retaining it will be the first daring thing I do.” She grinned.
Jane took another sip of tea and grinned back. She’d not known she’d needed to hear such words till Lillian said them. She refocused once more on her friend. “Why? Why do you wish to be an incomparable now? Why concern yourself with a lucrative marriage now?” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you trying to catch the eye of a certain duke’s brother?”
Lillian sat up tall. “Absolutely not. I’ve determined to fall out of love with the man. He does not know what he wants or how to get it. And while he is aware of my existence, I certainly do not merit his notice. It’s no good to pine for a man who is not pining for you. Like my father has said, you can’t invent something that does not want to be invented.”
“I’m not sure how that relates.”
“Me neither, but it sounded right. Don’t you think?”
Jane laughed, happy to feel something other than confusion and fear. “Lil, I would like to do some research today. How much do you think your family physician knows about opium?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“I should like to pay him a visit,” Jane said. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all.”
After her midnight experience, George’s private life had become a bit clearer. And a bit darker too. She had answers, but still more questions.
She stood.
Lillian did as well, leavingLa Bellelying on the table and picking up a thick novel. “A little light reading for the coach.”
“You’re coming?”
“Of course!”
The walls of the townhouse rattled with the force of a small explosion.
