Disclaimer: I do not own anything except a few minor characters and plot. Everything else belongs to the wonderful and talented Libba Bray.
The following morning, Minnie was surprised to find that Pippa had also managed to grab the wine and get out safely. She suspected that Felicity went back to help her, but had no proof so she let it go. From that day on, Felicity and Pippa were inseparable.
Two years went by without even an argument between the girls. The only times they ever kept secrets from each other during those years were when Felicity would refuse to talk about her father. Both Christmas's that Felicity spent at home her father continued to show his love for her. She was becoming used to it. She could now even love her father despite his methods of returning the love.
Felicity knew Pippa had a secret too. Sometimes she would leave during class and disappear for the rest of the day. Whenever Felicity asked about it, Pippa said she spent the day sleeping off a cold. Felicity did not push for answers because she knew that Pippa would tell her what was really going on when she was ready. Both girls were willing too allow one secret amongst them.
During those two years, Felicity started to see the world differently. She was no longer content with the idea of learning what she needed to know to be a good wife. More than that, her time spent in France had given her a taste of freedom. Each day she was becoming increasingly bolder in both her words and actions.
She no longer was content being second best to Minnie. Felicity craved power. It manifested itself in her heart and she could not wrench free from its icy grip. She found herself plotting the downfall of Minnie at night while Pippa slept soundly on the other side of the room. She told Pippa of her plans one day, but was surprised when Pippa discouraged her against them. Pippa mentioned that Minnie would debut later that year and be gone anyway. But for Felicity, that was not enough. She wanted to establish her position before Minnie left.
Felicity made her decision in late October of 1890 after she and Minnie had had a particularly fowl conversation. Felicity had been reading a letter her mother sent from Paris when Minnie approached her. Minnie took a seat in the chair across from Felicity and interrupted. "I know Pippa's secret."
Felicity was intrigued. She folded the letter and waited for more information. "I know why she leaves class and disappears for hours at a time," Minnie added sounding more than a little frustrated at Felicity's cool reserve.
"Who told you?"
"I overheard Brigid discussing it with Mrs. Nightwing. But that is beside the point. Don't you want to know what it is?"
"Not particularly," Felicity answered. She was interested though. She had to force herself to feign disinterestedness.
"It is really fascinating," Minnie whined in an attempt to convince Felicity. But Felicity was made of stone when her mind was made up. She would not hear it.
"I don't care. Pippa is my friend; she will tell me when she is ready."
"You will find out regardless of whether I say it now. I intend to tell the whole school."
Felicity knew that Minnie was testing her limits. She wanted to see is Felicity would agree to listen in exchange for the explanation to remain a secret. Felicity was not going to give in. She was beyond angry at Minnie for even considering sharing a private secret of Pippa's.
"You know you aren't really going to do that," Felicity warned as she stood. She was ready to employ the information she had gathered from Minnie's file a few weeks back. It was time Minnie tasted her own treatment. "Because if you do, I will tell everyone about what really happened to your father."
Felicity watched as Minnie's eyes bulged out and her cheeks darkened. "I don't know what you are talking about," she finally whispered.
"Don't play ignorant. I know you are not as vapid as you seem," Felicity seethed. "Your father left your family, didn't he? He began a new life on his settlement in Africa, did he not? Doesn't he have little half-breed children?"
Minnie began to cry. "How did you find that out?" she sobbed. "No one can know."
"And no one will," Felicity promised. "As long as you do as I say. Starting with Pippa, of course."
"I won't tell a soul," Minnie promised.
"Good. But I want more from you."
"If it is possible for me to give, I will. Anything you want is yours."
"I want your position," Felicity stated. "I want you to do as I say—to allow me to lead the discussions, chose the nighttime rendezvous, and decide who stays and goes."
Minnie sobbed, but nodded in agreement. Felicity had won. She had finally gained the spot she had always wanted. From that day on Felicity was practically royalty at Spence.
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