"Sharina raised one finger, then a moment later, a second.(...)Nicola went pale and let go of her weaves on the instant, leaping up so quickly that she joggled the bench(...)Scowling blue-eyed daggers at everyone in sight, Areina ran out of the tent after Nicola, the two women mirror images of disgruntlement and discontent. Seing the pair of them together made Egwene uneasy." - (CoT, Ch.17 p.430)

Why should Areina feel disgruntled and discontented? Nicola was the only one that was scolded. Egwene didn't even notice her before she got up...

Now we know that Elayne and Birgitte started to mirror each other increasingly ever since their bonding (Notice how RJ calls Areina and Nicola mirror images?) and even though our two troublemakers are close friends it does not seem enough for them to feel exactly alike over this little episode.

Nicola has been seen trying to get a peek at Sisters Traveling, she repeatedly states how she would like to learn more and the both of them do not feel any scruples over blackmailing Sisters. Nicola may have had the opportunity to learn Bonding when she hung around Myrelle and Nisao while they took care of Lan. She and Areina know that Elayne bonded Birgitte (Elayne herself told everybody after Egwene raised her and Nynaeve). So they know that Bonding a woman is possible... and why stop at something that Elayne could do?

well, there isn't much to prove this- just wanted to share a thought.