Once in bed, they pulled off their dressing gowns, caressing and kissing deeply, intoxicated by the sensation of skin touching and scents mingling. Entwined, they glided in a dance they’d never been taught and to a f*******n tune … each leading and following in her turn.
Meg quickly fell into a deep sleep but was sharply roused by strange sounds several hours later. It was dark, yet she thought there were swirling lights, like firelight, on the ceiling. She raised her head, certain she heard men’s voices. She touched Mary’s shoulder and urgently whispered her name.
“I hear them.” Mary rose and hurried to the window. “Oh, God, they’ve come.”
“Who?”
“Get up and dress! Quickly, now.”
Meg leapt up and drew on most of her clothes, ignoring her stockings and slip. Stumbling into something i
