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noticing as the maid began to unfasten her stays. “Nor do I understand how men…”
    â€œWith luck you’ll get a thorough demonstration,” Lina said, surveying her critically. “My dear, you have quite a lovely bosom. Why do you strap it down like that?”
    Charlotte slapped her arms around her chest. “They get in the way,” she said, disgruntled.
    â€œOff with the hoops too, dearest. Those will give you away even more than your breasts.”
    â€œCould we please stop discussing my breasts? ” Charlotte begged, her color fiery.
    Lina hesitated. “My dear, I really don’t think this is a wise idea. You’re too innocent…”
    If there was one thing Charlotte detested it was being told how innocent she was. She’d been half tempted to cry off, but she despised cowardice almost as much as she hated being thought an innocent girl. She was a woman, scientist, and there was nothing she need hide from in her quest for knowledge.
    She wanted to know what men and women did. It was a perfectly reasonable curiosity on her part, with no chance for harm to befall her. The Mad Monks were poseurs, playing at vice. Her own biggest risk was a long night of boredom.
    She slid off her demi-hoops, standing there in her plain white chemise, knickers, stockings and garters. “This will do,” she said firmly.
    Lina shook her head. “No, love. Take the rest off. And if I were you I’d remove the stockings—they might impede you if you decided you wished to move swiftly.”
    Charlotte looked at her, taking in the ominous words. “And why should that be?”
    Lina shrugged. “There are undoubtedly some tiresome people here, though they’re mostly on their best behavior. I promise I’ll be nearby, in case you runinto a problem. But humor me. The black chemise and nothing else. You’ll adore the sense of freedom it gives you.”
    Charlotte doubted that, but she did as she was told, divesting herself of every last piece of her own clothing. “Where’s the robe?” she demanded nervously.
    Meggie produced it, muttering darkly. She’d been against this from the beginning, but Charlotte had been adamant. The monk’s robe was made of heavy brown cloth, doubtless far more elegant than traditional monk’s garb, and she slipped it over her head, feeling it settle down around her body like a soft caress. She pulled the capacious hood up and breathed a sigh of relief. The sleeves were long enough to cover her delicate hands, her face disappeared into the shadows of the hood. She could do what she wanted with no real fear of discovery.
    Lina came up to her with a strip of white cloth, tying it around her sleeve. “Mustn’t forget this, darling. It’s your safe passage.”
    Charlotte eyes it doubtfully. “What would happen if I lost it?”
    Lina had an odd expression on her face, like a mother sending her child away to school for the first time. “Nothing very terrible. If you lost the riband and someone accosts you simply tell them no. They’re honor bound to obey.”
    â€œ Honor? ” Meggie said with an indignant sniff.
    â€œOf a sort,” Lina said. She looked at Charlotte.“Are you ready, my dear? It’s not too late to change your mind. It’s already getting dark, and once the sun sets we’re due at the Abbey.”
    â€œI’m not changing my mind, Lina.”
    â€œThen keep your head and voice down and we’ll depart. And Charlotte,” she added in a pained voice. “You won’t think too harshly of me, will you? I freely participate in these undertakings, and if I thought it would give you a disgust of me I would have refused to bring you here.”
    â€œDarling, nothing will give me a disgust of you. You may take your pleasure however you will, just as men do. I promise I will make no judgment.”
    Lina smiled at her. “No, you really