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promptly unlatched the gate when he saw the cab pull up.
    ‘Wait a moment, cabbie,’ Hetty said with all the authority she could muster, and approached the gatekeeper. She showed him the visiting card, apologising profusely for its being torn in half as the man peered at her suspiciously.
    ‘What name shall I give to Milord?’ he asked.
    ‘Err… tell him Monsieur Leo, the artist he was with this afternoon, has accepted his invitation after all.’ She knew there was no point in referring to herself as ‘madam’ whilst dressed as a man.
    It seemed to take an eternity for the man to return from the main house, but his step was light and he went straight up to the cabbie to pay the fare while Hetty breathed a sigh of relief. Even so, she was filled with trepidation as she followed the gatekeeper up the gravel path to the great oak door. There were lights in all the windows and she could hear music drifting from inside the mansion. When the door opened and the full impact of the scene burst upon her senses, she let out a gasp of amazement mingled with fear, for she had never seen such a gathering in her life, not even at Longton.
    There were about thirty men in the room, some in fancy dress and others wearing more sober evening attire, and mingling amongst them were women whose bold demeanour, heavily painted faces and revealing clothing suggested they were all ladies of the night. But she hardly had time to feel out of place when Milord suddenly appeared before her dressed in the elaborate costume of an eastern potentate with a jewelled turban perched on his head.
    ‘I was told to expect my new friend, Leo, the painter,’ he said, his wry expression suggesting he knew exactly who was standing before him. ‘Instead I find his younger brother has paid me a visit. How delightful. I trust your brother and his lovely wife are well?’
    ‘Very well, thank you, Milord. Leo told me you would not mind me taking advantage of your generosity in this way.’
    He laughed in a richly mocking tone. ‘Now that all depends,’ he said archly.
    ‘On what, Milord?’ She tried to conceal her anxiety.
    ‘On whether you are going to be a good sport and join in our fun and games.’
    ‘Oh yes, I shall indeed,’ she declared with all the enthusiasm she could muster.
    ‘Then first we require you to dress more suitably for the occasion. We have more men than women here tonight, as you see. I trust you will not be averse to dressing as a woman to even up the numbers? I am sure we can find you some suitable clothing. Therese!’
    A woman standing nearby instantly broke off her conversation and floated to his side. She was wearing a low-cut gown that revealed most of her full bosom, and her legs were shamefully visible beneath the diaphanous folds of her skirt.
    ‘Come, chérie ,’ she said, taking hold of Hetty’s hand with a knowing smile. ‘We shall find you some costume that will make you look très belle! ’
    Hetty followed her meekly into an antechamber where an assortment of fancy dress was arrayed on hangers. Therese took her duty seriously, examining various outfits with care before choosing a black and pink bouffant skirt with a black lace corselette, black mesh stockings, pink silk garters adorned with rosettes and a pair of high-heeled black slippers.
    ‘I think you will look very fine in this, chérie . Come, let me help you put it all on.’
    Hetty had never worn such extravagant and daring clothing before, and she became quite passive as Therese began removing her male clothing.
    ‘Oh, so you are already in disguise!’ the woman exclaimed, giggling. ‘Then you know how to wear feminine clothing. First the corset… let me lace you in.’
    Hetty was unused to her waist being constricted quite so tightly. At first it was hard for her to breathe, but she forced herself to take shallow breaths and speak in a whispery voice Therese pronounced to be very sexy.
    When she was fully attired, the woman led her over to a pier