"Margaret," Faith whispered against the door, "I am sorry, I shouldn't have pressed you about Percival . . . please forgive me." There were a few moments of silence before she spoke again, this time louder and more like the Faith from earlier, "Margaret, Patience requests our presence in the parlor immediately . . . do come right away." After that I heard her footsteps recede down the hall.

            I collected myself and gingerly wiped my tears away with the linen handkerchief, slid it into my pocket and proceeded to the parlor. When I arrived Patience was standing near the fireplace, she was facing Faith who occupied one of the two places on the settee. I could tell when she turned to me that she would not say anything, but her eyes continued to exude the apology she whispered at my door.

            "You called for me?" I asked of Patience as I took my seat.

            "I have sent word to the Edgehills to expect us on Wednesday," Patience smiled.

            "But that's just two days from now," Faith explained.

            "I am aware of that, dear sister," Patience said curtly, "but for us to have the best chance, I think the earlier we go the better." Faith knew her place with her sister and submitted a nod which pleased Patience from what I could tell. Then those heavy lidded chocolate eyes fell on me, "I do hope that you have no objections, Margaret."

            "No, Patience, Wednesday will be just fine," I said making direct eye contact.

            My sudden agreeability caught her off guard for a moment, "Well, I am so glad that you have come to your senses," she gave me a sweet smile and took a breath, "That is all, girls, you can go about whatever you were doing earlier although I would recommend getting your trunks ready as quickly as possible." We both nodded and stood, trying our best not to run out of the room, "Oh and Margaret . . . do remember to take the pink overlay as well as the pink dress with the embroidery, you looked striking in them both."

            "Of course, Patience," I nodded and gave a side glance to Faith.

            "We mustn't doddle, Margaret, let's start your trunk," Faith reprimanded as she led the way. She was speaking louder than necessary again as she grabbed my hand and started up the staircase.  Once we were out of earshot she lowered her voice, "Are you all right?"

            "Yes," I nodded as I looked back towards the parlor, "She is unrelenting in her desire to get us there . . . "

            "You, Margaret, she is determined to make connections through you," Faith asserted as we entered her room again, this time to do more than postulate our wardrobes.

            "Why not you?" I sighed, "you are her sister."

            "Her sister on her second Season . . . " Faith corrected as she took out a beautiful wine colored dress with gold accents, "She knows I have met the gentleman already so you are her hope."

            "I don't want to be her hope . . . "

            "Why don't you at least wait until you meet him before you throw the idea away entirely?" she sat beside me on her bed, "I was not lying about his attractiveness." I gave her a small smile as she took my hand, "unless there is another that holds your heart?"

            I put my free hand into my pocket and touched the edge of the handkerchief, "My heart has not been claimed, Faith. It is free for the right person to claim, but I doubt I will find such a man in London."

            The next day the household was in a tizzy as we rushed to make sure our trunks were adequately packed. Patience even inspected mine to make sure I included the dresses she insisted I bring. Once she was content on the gown selection she had a carriage take us to the haberdashery for a few odds and ends. The shop we went to was by far grander than the one in the town by our country house. Seeing my earnest attention at all of the wares Patience was content to let me wander instead of insisting that I stay by her side.

            I found another charming reticule, a lovely lace shawl and a pair of brocade slippers along with some pretty combs and ribbons. I caught Patience's eye as I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders and she nodded with a smile. I decided right then if showing an interest in dresses and accoutrements would help my relationship with her, then I would do my best to fawn over things that caught my eye. It proved to work wonderfully when Faith and I found the latest hats and bonnets. Although I have never worn them very often, I could not resist trying a few and when we finally left the shop both Faith and I both had two new hats among our purchases. Patience was happily talking about fashion the entire way home, she noted the places we should visit if we're ever abroad . . . especially in Paris.

            Aside from the chatting at the store and in the carriage, Faith and I did not speak very much. I decided to follow her lead in regard to how we behaved together around Patience. During our early dinner Patience commented, "I suggest that after we've finished here that you both retire to your rooms and try to sleep. We will be leaving after a light brunch so that we will be sure to arrive in time for tea."

            We both nodded and looked at each other from across the table, "Margaret, perhaps after dinner you will be good enough to assist me in pinning my hair?"

            "Oh Faith, Maria can help you with that," Patience shook her head.

            "That is true, but Margaret should have some practice as well, don't you think?"

            "Oh very good idea, Faith," Patience's voice was full of applause at the idea, "Yes, Margaret, you and Faith should take some time to discuss how to wear your hair." I instinctively put my hand to my hair, my coiffure was never as elaborate as hers but no one had ever brought notice to it before. I looked across at Faith and her expression gave way to her secret and I hoped that only I had noticed.

            After dinner Faith excused herself immediately and made her wait to her bed chamber. I was in the library going over which book I would take with me when Patience found me, "Margaret, Faith is waiting! Don't forget that we're leaving early tomorrow."

            "I haven't forgotten, I just wanted to choose a book . . . "

            "A book?" the idea obviously sounded ludicrous to her, "Oh dear Lord, what am I going to do with you? We are going calling, not to visit a sick old relative!"

            "But, Patience, perhaps it will count in my favor if Lord and Lady Edgehill see that I strive to improve my mind and not only put on a pretty display?"

            "Oh yes . . . I see," she took on a cunning look as she thought about it. "Well then Margaret, perhaps you should take two books, a novel and a book of poetry?"

            "That is a very commendable idea," I smiled. I smugly applauded myself for making things work with Patience. If things continued as such, maybe London wouldn't be so bad at all.

            "Once you've finished, Faith is waiting for you in her room," she swept out of the room clearly happy that I have seemed to come around to her ideas.

            "Thank you, Patience. Good night," I called after her and went back to selecting my books.

            Faith was in her nightgown at her dressing table when I knocked and entered her room, "What kept you?" she asked turning to me and noting the books in my arms, "I don't think Patience will let you take those."

            "After careful persuasion, she agreed that they might serve a purpose," I smiled setting them down on her bureau, "so am I to help you with your hair?"

            "No, silly," her smile lightened her face, "I wanted to talk to you and since we're leaving tomorrow, I thought that this might be our only chance." She moved to her bed and beckoned me to join her with a gesture of her hand, "In light of our newfound friendship, I wanted to share something with you."

            I watched as she opened her nightstand and pulled out a linen handkerchief, similar to the one that was currently in my pocket, "what is that?"

            "Last Season it was given to me by someone . . . " she gingerly ran her fingers over it before unfolding the fine fabric, "and I hope to meet him again." She held out her hand and I saw the initials expertly sewn, PW.

            "Who is PW?"

            "His name is Philip Winchester and he is . . . " her voice trailed off dreamily.

            "Handsome?"

            "Oh very," she giggled, "I have never met a man quite like him!"

            I could see what this gentlemen meant to her, "pray tell me about him," I urged.

            "Unfortunately I don't have much to tell. We only met twice . . . I had hoped he would have called but . . . "

            "But?"

            "A family affair came up last Season and he had left early," she sighed staring at the handkerchief, "I haven't seen him since . . . but I cannot explain how much I am intrigued by him."

            "And you hope he will be in company of the Edgehills?" I asked trying to perk her spirits.

            "Oh, yes! That is something that I wanted to tell you, he was a school mate to Thomas. The Winchesters and Edgehills are quiet close because of it."

            "So the odds are good that he will be in attendance if there is a social occasion," I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "that is good news, is it not?"

            "It is the one hope I have that our paths will cross again," she tried to smile but I could tell she was worried.

            "I will do all that I can to help you encounter him again . . . "

            "Margaret, I cannot tell you how happy it makes me that we are friends," she leaned over and embraced me, "I do hope that this Season leads us both to happiness."