Not wanting to witness what was about to happen, Jenny closed her eyes. With each snip of the scissors, she flinched. “Not too short, Ruth, please.”
“Oh, now you tell me,” Ruth said. “Don’t worry. It can grow back. There. Done. I should ask for payment for my services.”
Jenny drew in a deep breath, but her eyes refused to open.
“Go on,” Unity urged. “Don’t take your time, just open them. Like jumping into cold water, just take the leap.”
Jenny nodded and did just that. And then she screamed. The sides and back were just long enough to cover her ears. Gone was the long braid she adored. Now what would she tug when she was worried or angry?
“Why did you cut it so short?” Jenny whispered. “Could I not simply have pinned it up and covered it with the hat?
Ruth sighed and motioned to Theodosia. “To make the hat fit properly. And what if it falls off? Your entire disguise will be lost. You don’t want that, do you?”
Jenny gave a reluctant shake of her head. “No, I suppose not.”
Theodosia placed the hat atop her head. “There. See, you look wonderful.”
Jenny blinked back tears. She had no time to feel sorry for herself. Ruth was right. Her hair would grow again.
She glanced down at her front. “What can we do about the other issue?” She did not like Ruth’s grin.
“Remove the coat and shirt. I have an idea.”
“What?” Jenny asked.
“Just do what I say. You’ve no time for dawdling. If you want to be seen as a young man, we must make you look like one.”
Jenny gave her friend a skeptical look as she unbuttoned the coat. “But how?”
“We’ll bind you.” Ruth pulled out a swath of folded blue fabric.
“What is that?” Jenny asked.
Ruth shrugged. “I was planning to have a dress made from it, but I can purchase more. I’ll cut some strips, so we can use them as bindings. It will be much more effective when we combine them with a corset.”
Jenny swallowed hard. “Combine? You want me to wear both?” Each tear of fabric sent shivers down her spine. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” she asked Ruth.
“Not at all,” Ruth replied. When she had cut two long strips of cloth, she asked, “Are you ready?”
Nodding, Jenny lifted her arms. Ruth and Unity began winding the fabric around her bosom.
“I must be able to breathe, Ruth!” Jenny gasped.
“We’re nearly finished,” Ruth replied with a grunt as she pulled even tighter. “There. Now move a bit to make certain it does not come loose.”
Jenny moved this way and that, and with each movement, the fabric loosened just enough to allow her to breathe. A deep inhale would have been impossible.
“Now the corset.”
Groaning, Jenny lifted her arms again. She had to admit, tying the stays was far easier now that her bosom was constricted. Once the stays were tied, she redressed and was surprised at the difference the bindings and corset made. Gone was the feminine form, replaced by that of a young man. One who did little physical work, to be sure, but a young man all the same.
Ruth then repeated the process she had used on herself with the charcoal and cosmetics. By the time she was done, even Jenny did not recognize herself. The ruse just might work!
Now, there was only one final obstacle to overcome. Getting out of the school unseen. Ruth explained to the twins what was expected of them. Their job was simple—make certain Mrs. Shepherd did not leave the kitchen. The other students would be at their lessons, which left only Mrs. Rutley. Ruth was to take care of her.
“Unity, Theodosia, are you ready?” Jenny asked when Ruth had finished.
Unity nodded. “We’ll leave now.”