Free Miss Simpkins School: Flora by Raven McAllan Page A

husbands do their duty and depart the marriage bed. Women deserve more.”
    Oh, how Molly agreed. Ashley had been her only lover, and that was before he married. He wasn’t the sort of person to countenance anything else, and Molly agreed with him. He had also been invaluable in making sure she wasn’t subjected to any unwanted advances by so-called gentlemen who thought that she would be an easy mark. Due to his protection, many still thought of Molly as Ashley’s mistress. The three of them had long decided that was an irrelevance that they could ignore.
    This approach from the earl and countess came out of the blue. On a previous occasion, Adriana commented how many ladies of the ton complained about their husbands. She was amongst the lucky few who enjoyed all they wanted in their marriage. So many debutants were now hesitating to marry because they didn’t think their intended would buck the trend of leaving the marital bed once they sired the required heir and spare.
    “You see, Molly, there are so many ladies who need to know more than they do—both unmarried and wed. It seems my exploits are well documented in the ton.” Adriana hadn’t seemed unduly worried. “Several young and not so young ladies asked either directly or in a roundabout way what I did and how. So many females are sadly lacking in womanly wiles. You, and I, and some of my close friends are going to rectify that. I have a list of interested ladies and others who will be happy to come and talk to your, shall we call them scholars,” Adriana had said. “So are you willing to do this?”
    Molly didn’t feel she could say no. To be honest, she admitted she didn’t want to. Her life, safe as it was, had become mundane and boring. This would enliven it.
    “Yes, and I hope I can earn your faith in me. But Ad…Adriana,” she said and stumbled over calling her ex-client from when she was a seamstress by her Christian name. “Where will I find the ladies who need help?”
    “You won’t. I and my friends will,” Adriana told her.

Chapter One
    The knock at the door was unexpected. Molly dropped the duster down onto the half-moon table next to the wall and glanced down at her apron-clad body. She grimaced at the dusty streaks on her arms and clothes. As her staff weren’t due to arrive until the next day, and Molly couldn’t remain idle unless she’d been tied down, she’d decided to start sorting some of the rooms out. Adriana had told her she should wait, but Molly had shaken her head.
    “I can’t, Adriana. I need to be busy. Are you sure you don’t need a new dress for the Mayburn’s ball? I have a lovely roll of silk that would be perfect. Or some more swaddling clothes for the baby? Can you ever have enough? Perhaps I need to stitch more gowns or edge blankets?” Anything rather than be idle.
    “The child could be re-swaddled every hour for a year with the amount you have made,” Adriana said with a giggle. “And have a different set of clothes and blanket every day until he or she reaches its first birthday. As for a new gown, I’d look like Lunardi’s balloon,” Adriana added, reminding Molly of the flight her mama had spoken of seeing in her youth. “So perhaps not. Save it for after the baby is born.” She kissed Molly. “I came with the list of who will help you, with what, when, and how. Ash has put his foot down, and told me I need to rest more. I have only a few weeks to go, and I agree even moving is wearying. However, if you are worried, you send word.” She made her slow way to the door. “Take a day away from work, you’ll be hard at it soon enough.”
    Molly had agreed, but once Adriana left, she began to look around and see little things she could do. The room she’d earmarked as a guest bedroom was the largest bedchamber after the one Adriana insisted was to be Molly’s. Molly decided this second room was perhaps the least attractive, but had potential to be one of the best. The proportions were good,