The morning was bustling with activity as Jenny spent the morning preparing for her time with the earl. Not wanting to arouse any suspicion, Maria had kept the new cosmetics she had purchased for Jenny. She had told no one, not even Louisa, about her plan, which had her pulling on her braid more than usual. Why did she feel so guilty?
As she donned her pelisse and muffler, Mrs. Rutley entered the foyer.
“Do have a nice time with your sister,” the headmistress said. “What have the two of you planned for the day?”
Jenny despised lying, especially to Mrs. Rutley. Yet telling the truth would have made leaving for the day impossible. “Just more shopping and perhaps a nice meal at the inn.”
The headmistress smiled as she adjusted the muffler around Jenny’s neck. “You know you can always come to me with any problems, don’t you? And I do meananyproblems.”
Jenny nodded. “I do.”
“Is there anything you wish to tell me before your sister comes to collect you?”
Several of the younger students ascended the staircase on their way to their lessons. Those earlier days at the school were a hazy memory for Jenny, but she did look on them with fondness. And mostly because of Mrs. Rutley.
“No, Mrs. Rutley,” she replied, forcing her hands to her side to keep them from gripping her braid. “Not at this time.”
Mrs. Rutley nodded. “Very well. I have students I must see. But remember, my office door is always open.”
As the headmistress joined a handful of girls, Jenny stepped outside. Her sister’s carriage was just pulling up, and Jenny smiled.
“Are you ready?” Maria asked, grasping Jenny by the hands once she was situated in the carriage. Jenny nodded. “Good. I’ve instructed the driver to make one more stop before we go on to the home of Lord Dowding.”
Jenny frowned. “Where is Bethany?” she asked, referring to her sister’s lady’s maid.
Maria waved a dismissive hand. “She’s at the inn. Today is an outing for us sisters, not for the hired help. She’ll keep herself occupied in the village.”
The closer they got to Rosling Estate, the tighter the knot in Jenny’s stomach became. Surely, there were other, more appropriate ways to earn Lord Dowding’s favor.
When the carriage stopped, Maria set to applying the various cosmetics she had purchased the day before.
“I really wish your chemist had more choices,” Maria complained as she dabbed a bit of paint on Jenny’s face. “You’ve been out in the sun again, haven’t you? These freckles! You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Jenny did not respond. She had learned long ago that arguing any point with her sister was moot. But when she began coughing from the powder, she asked, “Isn’t that enough, Maria? I don’t want to frighten him!”
Maria clicked her tongue. “Trust me, little sister. I know what I’m doing. Now, rouge.” She brushed the bright red saffron powder on her cheeks. “There. And finally, just enough pomade on the lips to make you blush. At least your brows need no help.”
After a few dabs of perfume behind her ears, in the hollow of her neck, and on her wrists, Maria sat back to assess her work. “Yes, I think this will have a fantastic effect!” She gave the ceiling three swift knocks, and a few moments later, the vehicle began moving again.
“You look beautiful, Jenny. Lord Dowding will be unable to resist what you have to offer.”
Jenny swallowed hard, and her chest hurt from how furiously her heart thumped. “Are you certain there is not another way?” She opened her mouth wide and moved her jaw from side to side. “I feel like a court jester.”
Her sister laughed. “Have I not always given you good advice? What about the handkerchiefs? Was it not that advice that introduced you to him?”
“Well, yes, but I did not drop it. I threw it as a symbol of changing my ways. Mrs. Rutley says—”
“As much as I admire Mrs. Rutley,” Maria interrupted, “she is an old widow. What does she know about meeting and courting in the current age? We women no longer must wait for men to take the first step. We are becoming more independent and may act first. Do you think the earl will respect you less if you admit that you welcome his kisses? I’d say not.”
Jenny bit at her bottom lip. “Mrs. Rutley says that such forwardness has its place. After marriage but certainly not before. Doing so only compromises her prospects and her standing in society. Maria, I can’t have that happen.”
Her sister sighed dramatically. “You’re of an age to do as you wish. All I can do is advise you to use the same techniques I used. You can see they worked for me. But if you wish to act all prim and proper like so many other young ladies, do so. But you also risk losing this earl of yours. Do you think his lady friend is sitting back waiting for him to notice her? From what you’ve told me, I would say she is not. The dance between men is like a contest, Jenny. It’s up to you whether you wish to win or lose.”
Clutching her hands in her lap, Jenny feared her sister was right. She had no choice but to play the game. If she did not, she would lose Lord Dowding to Lady Ayles.
She sighed. “If you were able to win your husband’s love, I suppose your methods can work for me.”
Maria burst out laughing. “Love? I didn’t marry Richard for love. I wanted a man who could provide me with a life of luxury. In return, I give him children and run the house. It’s a very fair trade if you ask me.”