When we retired to the parlor after our meal, the lord and lady took their respective seats as they have every night before.  Leah begged for a game of Whist and of course Thomas was obliging.  Just as he was about to usher Faith and myself to the table my brother stood and cleared his throat.  "Lord and Lady Edgehill, I want to thank you for your hospitality, but I'm afraid we will be leaving in the morning," Freddie announced.  Leah gasped and looked towards me, Faith just stared wide eyed.  I felt Thomas' hand take mine immediately, but when I looked at him, he kept his eyes on my brother.

            "But Mr. Woodbridge," the lady began flustered, "There's no need . . . "

            "I must apologize," Freddie smiled, "I meant that my wife and I are leaving.  I think it would be best to get her home to Somerset."  I tried not to smile when I heard a sigh of relief or two, Thomas did not let go of my hand though.  "As for Margaret . . . "

            "She is welcome to stay," Lord Edgehill said, catching his wife off guard, "I will be happy to look after her, as well as Miss Stanhope, if they wish to stay."

            "That would be very good of you," Freddie nodded to him, "I know how much Margaret would like to stay.  But I feel I should add that our brother and his wife will be arriving in London shortly and I'm sure they would like to look in on her."  I turned to him quizzically, that was the first mention of this news.

            "They are welcome as you are," Lady Edgehill preened, "Please let them know."

            "Thank you," Freddie nodded again, "Well, I will join Patience now, good evening." 

            As he turned to leave I moved to go to him, but Thomas kept my hand in his, "I just want to ask him something," I whispered to Thomas.

            "And I can't let you go," he said, barely audible. 

            He looked like he was stuck to that spot, so I pulled him along with me, "Freddie?" I called as we caught up to him, "Who is coming to London?  Are Jonathon and Emily back already?"

            "No," he smiled, "Arthur and Lucy."  With that he gave me a wink and headed towards his room.

            I turned to Thomas, shock keeping my mouth from closing.  "I can't tell if this is good news or not," he surmised looking me over.

            "Wonderful news!" I gasped, "I haven't seen Arthur in four years!"

            "Well then, we will have to welcome him and his wife warmly," Lady Edgehill said.  I had not known she had been listening, but then it didn't surprise me either.  "Once they make their arrival known, we'll have a lovely dinner party."

            I was about to contest the idea knowing my brother Arthur as well as I do, but Thomas had started leading me to the table where Leah and Faith were waiting.  "Speaking of dinner parties, Mother," he said casually, "why don't we invite the Winchesters over one day?"  He tried controlling the smile that was bursting to show, but I saw the delight in his eyes as they met mine.

            "That is a splendid idea," Lady Edgehill gushed, "It would be lovely for you and Miss Woodbridge to spend more time with Philip . . . Miss Stanhope, I don't believe you had the chance to meet Mr. Winchester." 

            Faith nearly fell from her chair and I did my best not to laugh at her startled excitment.  "Not recently, Lady Edgehill," she said regaining her composure, "but I believe I met the gentleman last year when I met your son."

            "Well then it will be like a party of friends," the lady went on, "I will make preparations at once."

            I felt a little bad for Leah, having to sit there with us.  She just wanted to play a game or two but Faith could hardly concentrate, leaving myself and Thomas trying not to erupt in laughter as she tried her best to remain calm, however failing miserably.

            The days after Freddie and Patience's departure passed quietly enough in the house of Edgehill, although I, myself, had little silence as Faith was in a tizzy with the prospect of her Mr. Winchester paying a visit.

            When the morning finally arrived on the day of the dinner party she was up with the sun and off for a bath before I even got out of bed.  The way she was carrying on was like she was getting married or going to see the Queen, but I wasn't going to complain, it was just so good to see her smile so enthusiastically.

            I sat at the dressing table brushing out my hair when I noticed a few new bottles.  They must be Faith's because they weren't there before her return.  I could not resist the temptation and opened one after the other, smelling their contents.  I never was very fond of perfume aside from the one Patience wore, but they were not that bad.  However they could not compare to my essence of violets.

            "Why aren't you dressed yet?" Faith said as she entered the room wrapped in a robe, "We need to get ready!"

            "Faith, they won't be here for hours yet . . . "

            "That doesn't matter, I want everything to be perfect!"

            "Have you met Lady Edgehill?" I snickered, "I'm sure everything will be beyond perfect.  The Winchesters are friends of theirs after all."  There was knock at the door and while Faith ducked behind the wardrobe I opened it for Clara.  She wheeled in a small cart with our breakfast, "Thank you, Clara," I said loudly hoping Faith would emerge.

            "Is there anything I can help you young ladies with?" she asked looking over my roommate as she tried to nonchalantly open the wardrobe.

            "I think we should take our breakfast and then start to dress for the day, don't you, Faith?"  I turned to her looking for an answer and she reluctantly nodded.  "Perhaps you could return in an hour, Clara?"

            "Yes, Miss," she curtsied and left.

            "Faith, sit and eat something.  They won't be here until tea time at least," I said moving the tray to our table in front of the window.

            "Are you sure?" she sighed.

            "Yes, Lady Edgehill made it clear last night, don't you remember?"

            "Not really," Faith's cheeks flushed as she poured herself a cup of tea, "my mind must have been preoccupied."

            "Hmmm," I managed as I served myself.  We sat there for awhile enjoying a leisurely breakfast and a bit more chatter.  I'm not sure how many times Faith had told me about her last meeting with Philip Winchester but she was the most excited I had ever seen her. 

            Just as we were finishing our morning tea she looked out the window, "Is that Thomas?" she asked hiding behind the curtain.

            "It is," I smiled looking, "I wonder what he's up to?"  Just then he realized he had our attention and gave a little bow before nodding his head to the left.  "I think he's trying to convey something . . . "  What I would have given to be able to just open the window and talk to him.  I shook my head, trying to show him that I did not understand.  So he pointed to me and then I can only assume Faith, he turned and made a broad sweep into the park before turning back to us, pulling out his pocket watch and then holding up his index finger.  "I think he wants us to be in the park at one o'clock," I said.

            "Whatever for?" Faith said peering around the curtain.

            "I have no idea but he does look rather happy with himself," I gave a small nod and then closed the curtains.  "I guess we'll just have to find out."

            "I am not going to the park when we're expecting . . . company!"

            "Faith, the Winchesters are coming to visit the Edgehills for all they know.  If Thomas wants us in the park, I think we should go.  It's just across the street and we can be back in time for tea."

            "Margaret," she whined out my name, "But . . . "

            "No," I said, "it will do you some good to take your mind off things.  We shall get dressed and then check in with Lady Edgehill.  After that we're going to the park."