Georgette rimmed my eyes with dark kohl and rubbed some rouge on my lips and cheeks. She piled my hair on top of my head, leaving little waves hanging out near the back. I could never have done it myself and I told her this, but she only laughed. “It’s easy,” she said offhandedly, but the slight color of her cheeks showed her hidden pride. At length, she held a looking glass in front of me and I gasped.

“You clean up well, mon chere,” Georgette praised me. I could only blush.

“Thank you,” I said softly, touching my bare collar bone…if only I had kept some jewelry!

“You’re right,” Georgette said suddenly, as though reading my thoughts.

“What?”

“Your neck looks bare…Wait here.” She hurried out of the room and I could hear her moving things around in another part of the house for a bit. When she came back, my protests were immediate.

“I couldn’t possibly!” I exclaimed.

“Oh, don’t worry, this isn’t the most valuable,” she said as though it would console me. I snorted at her.