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“Is that—no, it cannot be…”

“That is not the Winston sisters, is it? I thought they passed away?”

“No, though their poor mother did.”

“A fire, wasn’t it? Horrible.”

“No, what is horrible is the beast of a gentleman that they call their father. You know, I heard that he trapped the late Countess inside on purpose.”

Samantha seemed not to hear any of it, continuing to walk through the ballroom as if nothing was being said at all. Diana was fortunate that in the training of her younger sister, she had also learned a great deal of patience, because had she not, then she would have been responsible for the removal of her entire family.

“You mustn’t speculate,” another voice came. “Though I must admit, I had also heard that the young ladies had passed.”

“Yes, their father abandoned them, and then whilst staying with their aunt, they caught fevers and never recovered.”

“Well, here they are, alive and well. I suppose that shows you just how ridiculous gossip can be.”

Diana would have been grateful for that last comment if it were not punctuated by laughter. It was as though they were treating her life as some hilarious anecdote, as if the entire point of their little pastime was to mock others. She hated it, and she especially hated that they would be getting through it unscathed.

She hated theton. She hated the airs and graces and falseness of it all, but she adored her sister, so it would have to be alright. It would only be for one evening, and then Samantha could make contact with the professor and then everything could go back to the way it was, not that she particularly liked the way it was either.

“It is quite warm in here,” she said with a falsely nonchalant tone.

“It is your nerves,” Samantha replied. “I am not surprised, though I will say that I am astonished that you held your tongue. In fact, you keeping yourself quiet was the only reason I managed to do so myself.”

“It was the same for me.”

“Horrid old ladies,” she scoffed. “And as for the gentlemen, I should think that when they can do anything they wish to, they would do so, rather than engaging in such ridiculousness. Why, if I were a man?—”

“Not here,” Diana hissed. “Not now.”

“But it is true. If men could simply spend their time doing all of the things that they could do, instead of passing judgment on women, then perhaps we might actually be able to accomplish more as a whole. Do you not agree?”

“Of course I do, but now is not the time for all of that. Not when this evening shall be difficult enough as it is.”

“I suppose not. Are you alright? I know you have nerves and all, but you are pale.”

“I think it is my corset. Tricky things to breathe in, are they not?”

“I hardly think it is that. Besides, perhaps if you wore one every day, as is expected of you, it might not trouble you so.”

“Then perhaps I am truly going to catch a fever and pass away, just like that gentleman thought we had done.”

“You are not in the slightest bit entertaining, I hope you know that.”

“I rather see myself as a fool right now. Do not forget that I am here for you. I will not prevent you from having a wonderful evening, but beyond that, I will do what I must to endure this.”

“You speak as if you are to be executed.”

“Am I not?”

“Diana, I know that this is not your idea of fun and that you are being a wonderful sister in being here with me tonight, but would it be possible for you to at least try to enjoy yourself? It is a ball.”

“I cannot enjoy myself, not when every member of thetonis scowling at us.”

“And who are they? Why do you care what they think of us? Our postures are correct, we are pretty young ladies, and we are intelligent. Even if they do truly have an issue with either of us, it shows an awful lot more about themselves than it ever could us.”

“Samantha, I know that you are right, but?—”