Once inside Kit’s room, Avinia began to unhook her gown while Seph pulled pins from her hair and Isla scurried down the hall to make sure the other room was ready. She returned and started helping with the pins while Kit slipped a nightgown on from the bottom up and then instructed Avinia to help her get out of her knickers as well. The less clothing she had on, the less complicated it would be for Pierce.

It took longer to get the pins out of her hair than anything else, and by the time they were all out and her hair was combed, she’d made good on that half...