Page 31 of The Women of Wild Hill
“Oh yes!” Rose agreed, following suit. Within a minute, the girls were bare and their clothes tossed in a pile. Molly shielded her eyes with her hand. “What’s wrong?” Rose asked.
“You’re naked.” Molly lowered her hand but kept her eyes averted.
“As nature made us,” Rose told her. “What could possibly be more beautiful than that?”
“I don’t think she can see it,” Ivy said. “Remember what Mother told us? Out there, they teach girls to be ashamed of their bodies.”
“How terrible!” Rose pronounced. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, Molly, we can swim in our chemises.”
“Even so. If someone should see—” Molly argued.
“No one will see you. This is our private beach.” Ivy ran into the water. “Come in,” she ordered. “The water is magical.”
“I can’t.” Molly seemed pained.
“Are you menstruating?” Rose asked.
“No!” Molly responded, sounding utterly scandalized at the mention of the word.
“Oh, is that something we’re supposed to feel bad about, too?” Rose asked and Ivy tittered.
“I’m so glad we don’t live out there where everything’s shameful,” Ivy said. “What a bore all of that must be!”
At last their guest gave up the fight and stripped down to her chemise. It made the twins happy to see Molly splashing around in the surf like a little girl. Which was, in fact, just what she was. Only Ivy noticed the very faint roundness of the belly to which the girl’s garment clung. Once again, though, Ivy chose to keep her counsel. But she was beginning to suspect that the Old One had brought Molly to Wild Hill for a reason.
Once they tired of swimming, the girls dressed and began their walk up Wild Hill toward the mansion.
“Look!” Molly pointed up at the mansion’s only visible window. A woman dressed in white, her chestnut hair trailing over both shoulders. Even from a distance, they could see her frown.
“Oh dear,” said Rose.
“Who is it?” Molly asked.
“That’s our ghost, Bessie,” Ivy told her. “The one I mentioned. She watches over our family and often appears as a warning.”
“What do you think she’s trying to tell us now?” Rose was concerned.
“I haven’t the foggiest,” Ivy admitted.
“I know,” Molly said.
“You do?” Rose seemed impressed. “I grew up with Bessie, and even I can’t read her thoughts.”
“Oh no,” Molly told her. “I don’t read minds, either. A man came to see Charles last week. I was asked to serve them drinks and they talked as if I wasn’t there. The man wants to buy this property to build a hotel.”
“Then he’s a very silly man,” Rose told her. “Mother will never sell Wild Hill.”
“That’s what Charles said. So he’s trying to find a way to have your parents’ marriage declared invalid and challenge your father’s will. He said his mother had a lawyer draw up the papers years ago, but she was too scared of your mother to take any action.”
“That was wise,” Ivy noted darkly.
“So he wants to take our home away?” Rose asked. It had never occurred to her that anyone could be quite so vile. “That’s why he’s here?”
“He’s keeping your mother busy while Mrs. Duncan searches for your parents’ marriage certificate. Since your parents were married abroad and none of the witnesses live here in America, the certificate is the only proof your mother will have.”
“And his wife would stoop to such deeds for him?” Rose asked. “Searching for papers to ruin three other women?”
“What choice does she have?” Molly asked.
