I decided to wait in the parlor for Freddie. In a way I was looking forward to visiting with Faith and Percival today, it had seemed like so long since I've seen them. I had missed my friend severely when she left, but I knew why she did. I was, however, not eager to explain everything to either of them. I am sure that in time Faith would join me in my happiness with Thomas, especially if I were to tell her how he made sure to introduce me to a certain Mr. Winchester. But the hardest part would be to talk to Percival. Would it be possible for me to make him understand? How can I tell him that I want his happiness if Faith is right and I am what made him happy? I stared out of the picture window at the light rain that was falling, where would I be now if Patience had not interfered?

            "You're already up, Magpie?" Freddie asked poking his head into the parlor. I tried to smile and nod but I felt that the rain streaked window mirrored my inner emotions much better. "Let me grab a spot of breakfast and then we'll go."

            "Yes, Freddie," I nodded. While I waited I decided to go upstairs for Percival's handkerchief. I know Faith had the cameo, but it would only be right if I returned everything. My heart sank knowing that soon I would have to look into his face and see the hurt that is there. For a brief moment I was second-guessing my decision to ahead with the marriage that Patience had arranged for me. Before I ever met Thomas I was hopeful of Percival . . . sure that I could have a very happy life with him. For weeks I kept the cameo with me so I could touch it in case I needed reminding that he actually gave it to me. Even with the subtle, and not so subtle, allusions that I was not for him, there was a glimmer of hope. Even with Patience settling an arrangement for me, a slight part of me held onto that hope. That Freddie would come and annul the contract and maybe Percival would take me far away. I could feel the weight of the remorse settle on me. I went to close the nightstand drawer and I noticed one of the bunches of violets that Thomas had given me. They were starting to fade and I knew I should press them soon if I wanted to keep them, so I found my journal. I leafed through the pages to find a place for them, but there weren't many free pages left. I smiled realizing how many violets he had given to me over the past few weeks. I closed my journal and set the violets beside it, taking a deep breath I felt for certain that I was on the right path.

            I turned to go and as I did, my eye was caught by yet another bunch of violets sitting atop my pillows, "No," I whispered aloud as I went to check if I had missed another old bunch. These were new . . . very fresh and fragrant. I smiled as I nuzzled them, "I don't know how you did it, Thomas . . . but thank you." I left them on my pillow, they would be a very welcomed sight if today went badly. As I headed down the hallway I heard Leah giggle and the slight sound of a door being closed deliberately quiet, "I haven't forgotten, Leah," my voice echoed just a bit, "I will find out what you know." Only quiet answered me and I began towards the stairs, "Oh yes, thank you for letting me borrow your purple sash . . . you were quite right about it."

            The softest "You're welcome," found my ears.

            I smiled to myself and returned to the parlor where Freddie was pulling on his waistcoat, "Oh there you are," he nodded, "I thought you ran off to hide," he winked.

            "That's not funny, Freddie," I replied as I took a white parasol from the rack, "I haven't hid from social calls in . . . um . . . "

            "Yes, it wasn't that long ago, Magpie. In fact it was when Percival and Faith first arrived at our country home and you kept ducking him," he smiled walking up to me. His eyes took in the token around my neck, "Is that something new?" he asked even though he had a very good idea of where it came from I suspect.

            "It was a birthday gift," I said as I pressed my fingers to it.

            "Is that the best thing to wear today?" Ah, there it was, he knew precisely who it was from!

            "He asked me to, Freddie," I sighed as I took one last look in the glass by door before we left. The rain had slowed to a drizzle but there still weren't many people outside. The carriage came to a stop in front of us and Freddie helped me into it.

            "I think it might be a bit brash," he winced as he followed me in, "I mean you are going to give Percival his heart back . . . "

            "Don't Freddie, I feel bad enough as it is," I felt the beginnings of a pout start to fill my lips, "Besides, what do you know of it?"

            "Only that before you all left for London he asked if I would be joining at other time," he explained as he sat back," And when I told him that I would be he said that it was good . . . that there might be something he'd like to speak to me about."

            I wanted to hate Freddie in that moment, the way he sat there looking at me as he told me that Percival had spoke with him thusly, "And you believe that it was in regard to me?"

            "I know it was," he smiled as he reached out and took my hand, "it was written all over him."

            "Then why . . . "

            "Patience," he sighed, "she told me to let it go, that Percival was in love at every port."

            "That doesn't seem like him," I dabbed my eyes with tissues.

            "No it doesn't . . . but Patience is my wife . . . "

            "Honestly Freddie! Why did you marry her?" I spat at him.

            He let out a deep breath, "She was quite a different person in our early years." I watched as he rubbed a hand over his mouth and then he looked deeply into my eyes, "You won't remember, it happened right before Father and Mother left for their trip, but Patience lost our first child." My eyes opened wide, I had never heard of this before! "It was no one's fault," he sighed still troubled by the memory, "but Patience took it very hard . . . she stayed locked in the nursery for days at a time."

            "Freddie," I cried, "I had no idea!" I slipped my hands from between his so I could hold his hands.

            "It did not change anything for me, I still love her with every fiber of my being . . . but the loss of our son . . . it changed her."

            "Son?"

            "Yes," he smiled even though a tear ran down his cheek, "We named him William, William Alexander Woodbridge." He sniffled and tried to fight the tears that must be brimming, "I thought that when we were blessed with Isabella that it would help bring my Patience back, but it hasn't."

            "I am so sorry, Freddie . . . "

            "I haven't given up hope, though. I know she is still in there, the Patience I fell in love with," he rubbed his eyes with the pad of his palm. "That's why I can't understand why she did what she did. It is very unlike her."

            "And I have only thought ill of her . . . " I hung my head in shame.

            "But you had no idea, Margaret, you barely knew her before . . . the trip."

            "Oh, Freddie . . . " I was full on crying at this point, "you have known such loss . . . and I have not made your life any easier!"

            He moved beside me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, "There, there, little sister. No matter what happens, I will always be there for you. It's been a great joy to see you grow into the young woman that you are now. I know Mother and Father would be proud . . . because I am proud of you."

            "If they were here I don't think we'd be in such a predicament," I sniffled.

            He smiled as he took the tissues from my hands and wiped my eyes. "You do have a point," he kissed my temple, "but if things did not happen as they did, we might not have Isabella . . . and you might not have ever met your scoundrel." I turned to glare at him and saw him smiling, my frustration melted into a chuckle.

            "I wish you would have told me before this . . . "

            "I hoped I would never have to."

            "And now?"

            "Now we shall meet with friends and try to make the best of this very sticky situation."

            "Should I put my token away?" I asked feeling the smooth glass under my fingers.

            "No," Freddie said moving my hand away, "it should not matter. Besides, it suits you."