Chapter 40: Laying out the Plan

Arabella stood on a platform, staring at herself in a full-length mirror. At her feet, an older stooped woman fussed with the hem of her gown which extended into a long train that reached as far back as the low sofa behind her. On the sofa sat Sonia and Lavinia, the former leaning forward impatiently.

"I don't see why you need a dress," Sonia complained.

"Look, if I have to suffer a whole ceremony, I'm at least going to look good doing it," Arabella snapped.

"Our ritual robes are perfectly fine."

"I feel like I should be allowed to add my culture into the process."

"Wanting a new gown isn't culture."

Lavinia rolled her eyes. "For Arabella, it's almost a religion. Did I tell you what she was like leading up to Isaac's Ball?"

"No, you neglected to entertain me with that one," Sonia said.

Laughing, Lavinia started to describe how Arabella approached her makeover with no small amount of schadenfreude. She talked about the previous fitting she had gone to and how Arabella had i