For once I awoke well before Faith, so I took care not to make much noise as I prepared for the day and tiptoed out of the room.  I found Leah and Lord Edgehill dining on a lovely breakfast and joined them.  "Good morning," I smiled.

            "Good morning," they both answered followed by a hidden bark.

            "Alice is joining us?" I giggled looking around.

            "It's a special occasion," Leah said looking under the table.

            "It is?" I puzzled.

            "Leah," her father chastised, "that won't do."  Lord Edgehill dabbed his mouth before turning to me, "Victoria is down with a headache, so the house is free today."

            "I'm sorry to hear that," I started, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

            "Nothing that some sleep won't cure," he said shaking his head, "she brought it on herself with several glasses last night."

            "Oh," I nodded in understanding.  It occurred to me that perhaps she had already had a glass or two before she stopped Faith and I in the hallway.  Not that it excused what she said, but it would explain why she was so forward.  I decided not to mention it to Faith unless she was still put out by the lady's comments.

            "Do you want to join us?" Leah asked suddenly, "We're taking Alice to the park today."

            "Perhaps I will," I grinned taking a drink of juice, "especially if Mr. Winchester calls on Faith and Thomas is still out."

            "You're always welcome to join us," Lord Edgehill said as he stood.  "We'll just be across the way most of the day, getting her used to everything," Alice scampered out from the table as he headed towards the hall.

            After breakfast I returned to our room, Faith was awake and reading a letter at the dressing table.  I lingered and watched for a moment, she looked almost angelic with her dark hair cascading over her shoulders and her eyes wide in astonishment.  "I hope that it is good news," I said quietly, making my presence known.

            "Margaret," she shrilled, "I can barely believe it!"

            "What?  What's happened?" I sat on the corner of the bed and waited as she went over the pages of the letter again.

            "The Winchesters . . . they . . . Lady Winchester has invited me to come stay with them!"

            "But you only met them last night," I gaped.

            "I know, but it's right here," she showed me the letter and sure enough the invitation was stated most clearly.  "What do I do?"

            "Go," I answered.

            "I can't," she spun around to look at me, "I can't leave you here . . . "

            "Lord Edgehill promised Freddie that he'd look after me, I will be fine.  You should run to Philip," I smiled encouragingly, "you've already waited a year."

            Faith stood still, thinking deeply and tried to control her breathing, "I will have to send word to my parents . . . "

            "Of course," I agreed, "I can write to Patience for you, if you want."

            "Patience," she scoffed, "make no special effort for that, but if you write to Freddie, you can mention it."  She looked around the room, "I need to prepare my trunk!"

            "You're leaving right away?"

            "You didn't read the other page," she giggled, "I am to come as soon as I am ready."

            "They were very happy to meet you," I nodded reading the rest of the letter, "Very happy indeed.  I will miss you dearly though," I sighed handing it back to her.

            "I'm sure we will meet again . . . and often, they are good friends after all!"

            "I hope so," I exhaled with a smile to cheer her as she began collecting her things immediately.

            Faith was ready in record time, I expect that it was owing to the chance to see Philip as readily as I had been able to see Thomas.  I watched the carriage leave, taking Faith and Clara from me.  When I turned back to the house it looked rather lonely so I gathered my reticule and parasol and crossed the street to the park, set on finding Leah and her father.

            An hour passed and I had not located them.  I returned to the entrance and sat on a bench for a moment looking through the crowds.  I searched all of the main paths, staying in populated areas, but found no sign of Lord Edgehill, Leah or even Alice.  It was not proper for me to have come alone as it were, but I decided to just wait for them would be wholly worse if I was found out by anyone else.  I followed a group that looked to be leaving, skirted around them  and headed back to the house quickly.

            It was oddly quiet when I entered, so I took care in closing the door as quietly as I could, although I'm not sure why.  I set my things on the entrance table and was about to go upstairs when I noticed someone was in the parlor.  I smiled to myself recognizing Thomas' curls and tiptoed into the room.  The closer I got to his chair I realized his head was tilted back and a cloth was draped over his eyes.  He must not be feeling well, but still he was waiting.  I watched for a moment and he barely moved, he must be resting.  I leaned across him carefully and pressed my lips against his to sweetly wake him. 

            Arms quickly enveloped me and pulled me into his lap, the kiss was rough and as the cloth fell to the floor I saw a wicked glint in his eye as he smiled, still kissing me.  I fought against him as hard as I could, I did not like this display at all.  I was finally able to push us apart and I felt my hand fly and strike his cheek.  With that he let go of me and I fell to the floor.  I scrambled to my feet, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, "What on Earth possessed you to do that, Thomas?" I panted angrily.

            He stood and gently touched his reddened cheek, "So you're still here," he said lowly with a sly smile. As he took a step towards me, I took a step back, "I should return more often if that's how you'll greet me."

            "What are you talking about?"  I felt my heart racing and wished that anyone would come in this instant, even an unhappy Lady Edgehill. 

            Thomas was looking at me lasciviously as he continued toward me, soon I was backed against the fireplace and he quickly placed his hands at either side of me, "To think I only came for some funds," he let one finger trace down my cheek, "but . . . "

            He pressed closer to me, intent to kiss me once again but when I raised my hand to strike he grabbed my wrist, "Let go," I cried, "you're hurting me!"  He said nothing but smiled, getting ever closer.  When he moved to grab my waist I took my chance and scratched his neck.  He took a step back and when he pulled his hand away there was blood.  Anger boiled in his eyes and I was afraid of what he'd do next, but before he could take another step towards me again the front door opened and Alice ran in.  She stopped and growled.

            "What have we here?" Lord Edgehill asked as he walked into the room, picking up his puppy.

            "Nothing," Thomas said, calm rushing over him as he adjusted his collar.

            "Margaret?  Are you all right?" Leah asked worriedly.

            "I most certainly am not!" I screamed.  "I cannot do this again," I said as hot tears ran down my cheeks.  "I've had enough, I am writing to my brother to fetch me!"  With that I ran up the stairs and locked the door.  I could not handle another sudden change in Thomas . . . not when things had been so good between us.  I let the tears flow freely as I quickly scrawled out a letter to Freddie.  After that I decided to send one to Arthur at our townhouse, if he and Lucy were in London, they would have to be there.  He could come to my rescue faster than Freddie and I would be away from this . . . from Thomas.