48

"Mrs. Wilson is already here. And she's waiting for you to be done. Everything has been set and your father has given the go-ahead. Everything will be done by midnight while everyone is asleep. So you will be going to bed once the pain subsides."

As Penelope's mother sat by her bedside, her face radiated with a sense of calmness, even though she was deeply worried about her daughter's condition. She had been consulting with Wilson who had recommended that her daughter be prepared before undergoing the procedure.

Penelope was laid on her bed as the maids carefully washed her with a mixture of vinegar and water, which was believed to have antiseptic properties. The concoction had a pungent smell that made her nose wrinkle, but she bore it without a word of complaint.

The maids were clueless about what was going on, but they went about their duty with precision, gently washing Penelope's body from head to toe. They brushed her hair and massaged her scalp with rosemary oil, which was beli