up my phone. “Hey, Shelly.”
“Penny, where have you been hiding? We’ve got a lecture on the neo-classical movement happening right now. Where are you?”
“Shit. I forgot all about it. I thought that was next week.” I huffed. I loved that period of art. How could I have forgotten? “Okay. I’ll jump in a cab. Thanks for reminding me. I’ll see you.”
“You’ve missed half of the lecture.”
“Shit. Can I look over your notes?”
“Sure. If you can make out my silly doodles and the odd scribbled thoughts.”
I laughed. “I’ll see you later. We’ll have dinner.”
“Sure. I miss you, Penny. Mr. Rich and Powerful has kidnapped you.”
“I’ll see you later at Soho, around seven. I’m shopping for a gown. I’m off to the masquerade ball.” A bubble of excitement entered my words.
“Oh… the Doge’s Ball?”
“Uh-huh.”
He screamed. “Oh my God. I want photos. Lots of them. That’s the ball to attend before dying.”
I laughed. “I need to find a designer gown and a mask.”
“We’ll study some images of the Venice festival tonight. I can’t wait. I love masks.”
“Me too.” I smiled. “See you soon, sweetie.”
I ran into the café and found Lilly looking pale, holding a glass of wine.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry. I’m used to you. You’re always late.” She raised an eyebrow.
I ordered a coffee to go. “You’re starting early.” I pointed at her glass.
“Oh, Penny.” Her voice trembled.
“Shit. What’s happened?”
“He’s stalking me again.” She bit her lip.
“Crap. Has he approached you?”
She nodded. “He wants to see me. He was nice about it. I pleaded with him to leave me alone.”
“What about James?”
“He knows. He’s a little shaky about it too.”
“Has this Alex threatened him?”
She shook her head. “No. But if he follows me to James’s house, which is where I am most of the time, who knows what he might do.”
The waiter delivered my coffee. I nodded thanks.
“Don’t worry, Lil, we’ll make sure nothing happens.” I touched her hand and gave a reassuring smile. “Come on. Let’s go shopping for the ball.”
She finished her wine in one gulp. “I can’t wait. I just wish fatso would go away.”
Shopping soon proved to be more a trial than fun. We found ourselves dealing with apathetic shop assistants acting all superior. They saw us as lower-class girls wasting their time.
But then Lilly blurted that we needed something for the Doge Ball that our rich lovers had invited us to. After that, the salesgirl almost jumped out of her skin to help us. I was tempted to give her the finger, but the gowns were too gorgeous to ignore.
Lilly settled for a blue dress with a low neckline and a split up the thigh, while I went for one that had a scooping neckline, after Lilly encouraged me to show off my assets. I wondered if I should send Blake a photo but decided against it, since it would only feed his need for control.
The tulip-shaped dress cascaded in fine silk to my feet. Its vibrant red made me sigh.
“Oh, Penny, that’s so you. It’s gorgeous,” crooned Lilly.
“The price tag ain’t gorgeous at five thousand pounds.”
“Don’t worry about it. Hasn’t Blake given you a limitless credit card?”
“I didn’t take it.”
The shop assistant, who was within earshot, mirrored Lilly’s shock.
“Then you’re crazy. He’s loaded.”
“He bought me a house.”
Lilly’s face scrunched. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
I nodded. “Uh-huh. In Paddington. A terrace. Two stories. A view of the park.”
I turned to the assistant, who stood close by. “I’ll take it.”
When we walked out onto the street with parcels in hand, Lilly asked, “So is your mother moving in?”
“I’m going to rent her an apartment. Away from the estate.”
“She won’t want to move,” said Lilly.
I shrugged. “Maybe not.” I stopped walking. “But I’ve got to get on with my life. I can paint there. And it’s within walking distance of college. And I’ll finally get away from that slum we’ve called home all of our lives.”
“Living with your rich, oversexed boyfriend?” She raised a brow.
“He won’t live there. It’s too soon. And he doesn’t do relationships.”
“From where I’m standing, it looks like a relationship.”
That buoyed me. “I’ll be a kept woman, I suppose.” I stopped walking. “Do you think that’s wrong?”
“No fucking way. I think it’s brilliant. You’re beautiful, talented, and a good person. Go, sister.” She stood there with her hands on her hips.
I hugged her. “Thanks, Lil.” I checked the time. “I promised to meet Shelly for dinner. Crap.”
Lilly laughed. “I’m sure he’s used to it.” She hailed a cab. “Do you want to share a cab? I