We dismounted from the carriage and walked up a flight of marble steps towards a pair of massive oak doors.“The first hall we enter is where those n...t having special status enjoy themselves,” Giuseppe explained.The hall resembled the meeting room of any London brothel, with girls in revealing costume sitting on chaise longues, and prospective customers bargained with them.At the far end of the long room were several gaming tables, with all seats occupied, and in an annex off the main room I saw. "We have a choiceYou have a voice.Algoma bay or Port Washington?Which to chooseIs up to youseSixty six miles to either one."Yo HoYo HoYo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum.Prevailing windsAre from the north westYou should pick the one that works the best."I don't careDouble dog dare.Chose the one with the best air." I don't knowIf the wind won't blowWe'll be moving awfully slow."Yo HoYo HoYo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum.There goes a boatWithout no hopeThey broke their mast and that's no jokeToo much. "Yes, I think you've got it!" Debby cried. "This is a recipe for a salve. It has to be brought to a roiling boil, then slow-boiled as the other ingredients are added, then simmered on very low flame for eight hours and allowed to cool for another four." She put down the book. "What's the next ingredient number?" Zero-three-one," said Ned.Debby sensed the tension in the room. Richie was more focused than Debby had ever seen him, his hands gripping the back of his chair. Diane bit her lip and. She reached over and placed her hand on Rachel's soft cheek. Then she leaned in and kissed her."Does that mean..." Rachel began.Monica smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I think that would be good." Really?" Rachel asked, giving that cute little smile that would melt anyone."Yeah, really. Do you want to go to your bedroom?" Rachel nodded. The two girls got up and walked hand in hand to the bedroom, uncertain of what they were about to do, but both so sure that they wanted to do it.They closed the door.