“How very drab it seems,” Sophie remarked. “I’ve always imagined diamonds and gems to sparkle.”
“Have you never seen a diamond before?” Ethan asked.
“I’m afraid not,” she said.
“Most gems, if they are cut well, do sparkle when the light shines through them.”
“Something to look forward to seeing, then,” Sophie said. “I was afraid after today that nothing could astonish me. I’m happy that there’s more in store for me.”
* * *
Upon reluctantly exiting the Crystal Palace, Ethan found them a hansom cab and directed it to Lady Bentley’s house, on Hyde Street.
“Do you mind letting me out a few houses away?” Sophie asked as they neared their destination. “I would like to reenter the house without my aunt knowing I’ve been away. If I were to come through the front door, it would be terribly awkward.”
“How are you going to get in?”
“I’ll sneak through the servants’ entrance in the back.”
Ethan directed the driver to go a few more houses down, then got out and assisted Sophie down.
“The next time I see you, don’t be alarmed if I pretend not to recognize you,” Sophie said. “That way my aunt will never guess of our secret adventure.”
“I look forward to being introduced to you properly,” he said, taking her hand and bowing over it.
Ethan released her hand and Sophie turned to go. She took one step, then pivoted back to him. Standing on her tiptoes, she gave him a butterfly kiss, her eyelashes gently brushing his cheek.
“Thank you for the best day of my life.”
Sophie didn’t wait to see his response; she turned and nearly ran to the alley that led to the back of Lady Bentley’s house. She cautiously opened the back door and looked for servants—there were none in sight. She took the stairs by twos, turned the corner, and bumped into a tall, gaunt man dressed in his dinner coat. He grabbed her arms to steady her and then let her go so abruptly that she almost toppled over.
“Terribly sorry, sir,” Sophie said.
“If you were not aware, Miss Carter,” he said, “your aunt will expect you to change your dress for dinner.”
“I’m on my way to my room to change this very instant,” Sophie said over her shoulder as she hurried to her room. As she closed the door behind her, she thought she heard him mutter to himself, “Wasn’t she wearing blue before?”
“Sophie! Where have you been for so long?” Mariah cried. “I’ve been terribly worried.”
Sophie took her sister’s hands and twirled her around.
“I had the most unforgettable day of my life,” Sophie said. “I saw an enormous hydraulic press at the Great Exhibition, and I met the most handsome young man!”
“In that order, I suppose,” Mariah said wryly.
Sophie continued to spin her sister around. “No time to talk. I just bumped into a stern man who told me to dress for dinner, so we’d best get you changed into the fanciest dress in the wardrobe.”
“You met Charles—I mean, Lord Bentley?”
“Possibly,” Sophie said. “I literally ran into him at the end of the hall. But we can talk more after dinner. Come, let me undo your buttons.”
Sophie helped Mariah put on their only evening gown—an ornate dress made of purple satin—then pushed her sister out the door. She took off her own green dress and spread out on the bed in only her shift. The mattress was so soft and large, she felt as if she were lying on clouds in the heavens.
All she could think about was Mr. Ethan Miller. Mariah would be shocked if she knew Sophie had given him a butterfly kiss!
FOUR
One Week Later
MARIAH COULD HARDLY BELIEVE THAT she had lived on Hyde Street for only seven days. It was like a beautiful dream—every morning she was afraid she would wake up and find herself back in that old, cramped attic.
Each day the sisters shared the breakfast tray, and then one of them would eat lunch with their aunt and the other one would eat dinner. Sophie never stayed in the room, instead going around to various shops—a bootmaker’s, a cigar store, a drugstore, a dry goods store, a bakery, and even a crinoline shop—asking about a possible position. She was looking for any job to pay their way until she found an apprenticeship. But either they did not hire ladies or they were not hiring at all. Mariah was less daring, usually staying in the room feeling bored. She solved this problem by asking their aunt if she could borrow books from the library.
Sophie turned over in bed, taking most of their peacock-blue coverlet with her. Mariah shivered as she smiled; Sophie had been right—no one had guessed that there were two of them.
Mariah startled when she heard a gentle knock at the door. She nudged Sophie to wake her up, but Sophie didn’t budge or open her eyes. Then Mariah heard the doorknob turn.
She scrambled over Sophie to the other side of the bed and rolled off, landing on the carpet with a muffled but still undignified thud. Mariah hauled herself under the bed just as the door cracked open. She watched Adell’s feet as she placed the tray on the table next to the bed and then left the room.
She scurried out from underneath the bed and saw that Sophie still hadn’t stirred. Mariah pushed her wild curls out of her face and picked up her pillow, swatting her sister with it. Sophie closed her eyes tighter, so Mariah rolled her eyes and started eating breakfast alone. As she took a sip of hot chocolate and began eating a muffin, she could hardly wait to dress and go down to the library to get some new books. She had already read every book by Fanny Burney—Evelina was by far her favorite.
She selected a peach gown from the dozen dresses now in the wardrobe; Mariah had gone shopping with their aunt two days after they arrived. Their first purchase had been a crinoline cage—the most extraordinary item. It was a steelwork petticoat that looked like a large birdcage that fitted around the waist, making a skirt look circular without the use—and weight—of countless petticoats. Mariah stepped into it, pulling it up to her waist and tying the strings, and then put on her dress.
She arranged her hair before trying to wake her sister by shaking her shoulder. Sophie still refused to open her eyes, so Mariah stuffed a muffin into her open mouth. Sophie’s eyes popped open.
“Sophie, be a love and button me,” Mariah said. “I want to get us some new books for the week.”
Her sister groaned but sat up and buttoned Mariah’s dress. Once finished, she fell back into bed and covered her head with a pillow.
Mariah chuckled as she picked up the stack of books to return and opened the door. She walked slowly toward the stairs. Crinolines were funny, bobbing up and down if she walked too fast; the first time Mariah wore one, she nearly fell over.
She held her breath as she walked slowly down the stairs, a firm grasp on the railing, only exhaling when she was safely at the bottom. Then she walked to the library and opened the door.
“Hello, Miss Carter.”
Mariah dropped the books she was holding. Standing before her was Lord Bentley, wearing day clothes and a crimson silk over-robe. She tried to pick up the books, but the bottom of her crinoline was stuck in the doorframe. She gave her skirt a tug, only to trip over the books and into his arms.