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Hannah more confidently. This she knew was right. No one knew more than the minister and the great church. “It is against God. The queen is good.”
    Again, the faint smile: “The duke craves the sight, and the touch, and the artistry of beautiful young bodies. He joys to watch young men and women make love.”
    “What?” She could not possibly have said what Hannah thought she heard.
    “He loves to see young women, naked as birds… You are here because a great nobleman saw you, your beauty. You are the duke’s subject and at his command. Do you not know that?”
    “It is a sin.”
    “Is it?” The woman lifted her eyebrows. “Do you know that”—she named a man of the church famous all over the island—”is a companion of the duke and comes to our performances?” Hannah felt despair in her chest like a block of stone and in her mind seemed to be…mud. She could not think, but she said, not looking at the woman, “It is not possible.”
    “You will see that it is true.”
    “I want to leave.”
    “No more!” said the woman curtly. “Come, we will go to my chambers. There is more for you to know.” Could Hannah refuse? No, then people came through unseen doors and made her do their bidding. What use was there in that?
    “My clothes…”
    The woman gestured at the door to the dressing room. “They took them to your room. Wear what you are wearing now.”
    Hannah rose, looked at her, and waited.

 
Chapter 7
“Never Show Modesty”
    Turning like a cat, the instructress sank to the floor; she crossed her legs, sitting on the fur of some tawny, spotted animal. Hannah never had seen anything like it. Even in her growing fear, she had curiosity. Looking up at Hannah, the instructress said, “You must be thirsty.” She waved at a table. “Take what you want to drink. Eat also.”
    Hannah had not admitted to herself how hungry she was. She stepped to the table but could not bring herself to touch anything. She heard the instructress say, “There is water, wine, and juice.” Hannah saw the round pitcher filled with brilliant orange. She took the water, two cups. Then, she reached tentatively for the pitcher. The orange juice was heavy with sweetness. It was delicious.
    Behind her, the instructress said, “There is only fruit and cheese. Dinner will be later.” Hannah didn’t recognize any fruit except the apples. She took one and bit into it. She did recognize the huge half-wheel of cheese, or, at least, that it was cheese, and picked up the ornate knife and pressed down. Hannah could smell it, nutty and tart. She took the slice and began to eat it. Not like any cheese she ever had imagined. To eat this way—all day, as much as she wished…
    When she paused, the instructress patted the fur beside her. “Here, sit with me.” It was a command. Hannah knelt on the soft fur, facing the woman, and waited. “My name is Maria. I came here eleven years ago.” Hannah stared at her. Almost a lifetime!
    “I was one of the first. I am from the Kingdom of Spain, near Barcelona. I was taken from a ship that sailed from there. I don’t think my parents knew I would be taken.” She hesitated, and added, “But who can be sure? Perhaps they sold me, as did the parents of so many here.” Again, she hesitated. “It does not matter. People do what they must.”
    Maria said, eyebrows brought together in a faint frown, looking down at her hands folded in her lap, “I was one of the first. And the first that the duke commanded to his chamber.” She paused to watch Hannah. Hannah nodded; she must hear and understand; this was her fate—in the quiet words of this woman.
    “I was a girl with raven hair and gypsy eyes. But proud, so proud! Because I was best. I stood naked before the duke and he smiled. After that, after many performances, he asked for me to be brought to his chambers. I still think that he loved me.”
    “He ruined you?” asked Hannah, in a whisper.
    “He took my virginity, made me a