My thanks to everyone who has helped me with ideas in writing this story. You all know of whom I speak. Also wealthy enough to be shorn of some of their wealth by other, shall we say, less proper manners. The poor dears are usually bored and desperate to be noticed. Which works to my advantage. A bit of juicy, easy ripe pickings on the side with usually some surprisingly profitable results.
And then there are the parents and other adult guests, who once they have imbibed enough, become subtle and compliant enough for my fingers to do their task of acquiring their more valuable adornments. And I never thought of pickpocketing as right out stealing, preferably thinking of it as teaching a life lesson to those foolish enough, or young enough, to present a vulnerably easy target.
And earn my living in the process. Well, the last time I attended such a function I deliciously petted away a pair of pearl necklaces, a single and double strand, from two very different but equally gullible, charming quite young ladies who were attending a grown-up Ball for the first time. Their pearls fetched a surprising value. One was in soft velvet the other was in sleek silk-covered chiffon.
Both were easily woven into my web. At the same affair, I also lifted an expensive diamond brooch from a wealthy lady as well as two fat leather wallets from a pair of tuxedo-wearing gentlemen. But then I attracted nosey official notice and had to make a hasty exit. And now here I was, a year later, standing across the street from yet another charity ball in Scotland. Smoking a leisurely cigarette as I watch the rich ladies' attire flowing down elegantly beneath furs and satin evening wraps of the mostly female guests pouring into the venue.
I spotted a group of younger ladies dressed elegantly in a collection of silks and satins, no wraps. They were off to the side smoking and chatting away amiably.
