Chapter 18
Gemma
Icy tentacles of frozen air stabbed my exposed skin. Despite the cold, the sidewalks were busy as I practiced “How a lady conducts herself in a public setting”. Aunt Margaret was relentless in her determination to transform me into a proper Southern gentlewoman.
There was a strong desire to tug at the neck of my dress. Why was being strangled part of being proper? My ribs protested at being squeezed by cinched whale bones, another ridiculous expectation. As for Aunt Margaret, she approved of the constrictive attire, quite satisfied with my appearance.
“Ensure your spine is straight and erect. Do not stride in a quick manner, ladies are never in a hurry, take measured and confident steps. When you pass someone, offer them the inside of the walk, not the street-side. If
