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Elsa waited for Ma; her face was drawn into a frohich was so she tried never to do A lady doesn’t reveal ees Elsa had heard it every tio to a dance

Mama studied Elsa “It couldn’t be”

“What?”

“Have you dishonored us?”

“What?”

“Have you been with a man?”

Of course Mama could see Elsa’s secret Every book Elsa had ever read rohter bond Even if Ma a lady should conceal), Elsa kne bound they were

She reached out for her mother’s hands, took them in her own, felt her mother’s instinctive flinch “I’ve wanted to tell you I have I’ve been so alone with these feelings that confuse me And he—”

Mama wrenched her hands back

Elsa heard the gate creak open and snap shut in the quiet that had settled in between Elsa and her mother

“Good Lord, wolass of cold tea would be the ticket”

“Your daughter is expecting,” Mama said

“Charlotte? It’s about durn tiht—”

“No,” Mama snapped “Elsinore”

“Me?” Elsa said Expecting?