I found the door locked when I arrived at Mama's chamber the following morning. Raising my hand to pound upon it, I paused. Perhaps Jane could not diminish the upset Lottie had caused on the previous day. However, as I turned to walk away, Mama's personal maid appeared in the corridor.

"Charlotte arrived about a half hour ago. She's locked all the doors," Jane stated, frowning. "She brought up the breakfast tray, and they are dining tete-a-tete. I wasn't able to enter as usual."

"Oh dear," I sighed, surreptitiously staring at the locked door. "I wanted to speak to Mama about the bridesmaids. I suppose it will have to wait. Will you tell me when Mama is free?"

"Yes, certainly," the maid responded. "I'll come for you personally, Miss Priscilla."

Casting one more look toward the door, I strolled along the corridor. I hoped Lottie didn't cause another disturbance. Mama looked very frail following the previous day's incident.

Finding abundant free time, I decided to walk over to the vicarage. I discovered Dinah gathering roses in the garden and joined her. She clipped a pink rose and handed it to me.

"The Viscount is handsome," my cousin sighed. "You are fortunate, Priscilla."

"I am sure you will find yourself in happy circumstances one day." I smiled encouragingly.

"I suppose." Another sigh. "I expect I'll marry a curate, and someday we will have a church of our own. You do have all the advantages."

"Perhaps we'll find a different sort of husband for you," I remarked, taking the shears and cutting another blossom. I tucked it behind Dinah's ear. "I'm sure Spencer knows a lot of young men. We'll invite you to Yorkshire to stay for as long as you like. We'll entertain and invite all the eligible bachelors."

Petite and dainty, Dinah's appearance eclipsed my own. Her blond hair was in ringlets, and her crystal blue eyes sparkled like the first evening stars. I hated to think of her married to a curate and living as poor as a church mouse. In my heart, I knew she deserved better than her lot in life.

"I came to ask if you would act as my Maid of Honor," I stated, grasping her arm and smiling brightly. "Remember, we promised each other."

"Oh yes, we were quite young then, but I do recall," my cousin agreed, brightening considerably. "I am happy you remembered."

"Of course, I remembered!" I exclaimed, strolling toward the arbor seat. We sat next to each other beneath the honeysuckle trellis. "I wouldn't forget."

"If you go away..." Dinah began with trepidation.

"You call me, and I will come in a hurry," I exclaimed, hotly. "I promise you."

We lapsed into silence until Mrs. Bennett, the vicarage housekeeper, called Dinah for luncheon. My cousin invited me to join them, and I agreed. Together, we entered the dining room, and Uncle Everett joined us. I spoke to him about the ceremony and emphasized that Spencer and I would consult with him in the future.

"You wish for a traditional service, I assume," the vicar asked, dabbing his chin with his serviette.

"Oh, yes, certainly," I answered with alacrity. "I promise I won't make demands. You must not expect the unexpected."

"I am relieved, my dear." Uncle Everett smiled gratefully and reached for his tea cup.

"Miss Jane to see you, Miss Priscilla," Mrs. Bennett announced, entering the dining room briskly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Bennett," I replied, replacing my cream puff onto the tray. "Is she in the parlor?" I hurried to join my mother's personal maid.

"I'm very sorry, Miss Priscilla," Jane began nervously. "Young Mrs. Charlotte is still with Lady Everstow. Maggie Wills arrived with yards of yellow fabric. I thought you should know immediately."

The color drained from my face, and I rushed to the door. Flinging it open, I raced along the vicarage path and onto Everstow land. My heartbeat wildly, knowing that something was amiss. I didn't slow down until I reached Mama's door. It remained locked. Furiously, I pounded on the door.

"Mama!" I cried, leaning my head against the barrier. "Please, Mama, let me in!"

Finally, Lottie opened the door and stepped into the corridor. Maggie Wills followed directly on her heels.

"You'll return tomorrow at this time," my sister-in-law told the seamstress, "Don't come late as you did today. If you do, I shall dock it from your pay."

"Yes, Madam," Maggie muttered, bowing. She scuttled away quickly.

"I do look forward to meeting your young man this evening." Lottie turned toward me abruptly. "I wish to decide if he is suitable for my new young sister." Turning her back on me, she hurried toward the bed chamber she shared with Joel.

"Suitable indeed," I mumbled, clenching my hands. It certainly was not up to Lottie to decide the suitability of anyone attached to Everstows.

I entered Mama's chamber quickly and found her spread across the divan with a bowl of sweetmeats beside her. She appeared exhausted. The makings of a yellow gown draped the seamstress's dummy. Briskly stepping toward it, I scrutinized it.

"The fabric is exquisite, Mama," I stated, lifting the draped skirt delicately. "Since Lottie spent most of the morning here, I assume it is hers. What's the occasion?"

A surprised look crossed Mama's face, then instantly disappeared. I glanced at her quizzically and wondered. Had I missed an announcement? Was the event something I should know about? I examined the dress again, my heart sinking with realization.

"Mama?" I questioned hesitantly. I suddenly dreaded her explanation.

"Well, naturally, you know the occasion," my mother stated, eyeing me suspiciously. "It's Lottie's Matron of Honor dress. Yellow—exactly as you specified."

Dumbfounded, I stared at my mother. Her peaked face broke into a broad smile, and she nodded enthusiastically. I studied the garment again and slowly shook my head. A state of disbelief overwhelmed me.

"I walked over to the vicarage this morning and asked Dinah," I coolly responded. "Certainly, you recall we promised each other."

"Oh, but that was years ago, my dear," Mama exclaimed, brushing my statement aside. "Why, just the other day, you said you wanted Lottie to take the position. I thought it a kind gesture and very considerate of you to choose your new sister-in-law."

"I did not choose Lottie," I claimed hotly. Confusion crowded my mind. How could Mama believe I had asked my brother's new wife when I could barely stand the sight of her? "I promised Dinah, and I asked her this morning. I would know who I want and who I asked, Mama."

"You asked Lottie," my mother snapped, sinking against her fluffy pillows. "Please don't insist upon this sudden change of plan. Oh, I do feel ill. It's all the confusion. Send Jane in as you leave, Priscilla dear. My head is woozy. I can't bear it."

"Mama, I..." I stood above her divan, looking down upon her. She looked small and weak against the large cushions. Her pale hand fluttered uncontrollably, and a flash of red colored her cheeks. "I didn't ask Lottie; I'm sure of it, Mama. I asked Dinah, and Spencer wants me to ask his sisters, Cordelia and Viola. I should know what I want, surely."

"That's enough, Priscilla," Mama dismissed me. "I won't allow you to change your mind now that Maggie Wills has started Lottie's dress. Please tell Jane to hurry."

Mama closed her eyes, and her breathing became shallow. I rushed into the maid's room and told her my mother's predicament. I watched Jane scuttle into the next chamber briskly.

I stood in the corridor with my back against the wall. Time slipped past, and I remained glued to my spot. I considered rushing inside and making my case strongly. Instead, I finally plodded toward Joel's suite of rooms. I intended to confront Charlotte instead. However, I quickly discovered that the newlywed couple had left for a ride in the country. Bowing my head, I roamed upstairs to my bedroom and sat on the bed stone-faced.

Crossing my arms tightly around my waist, I deepened my frown. For the first time in my life, confusion overwhelmed me. I could not understand the abrupt change in plan. I was so sure of my decision, yet it suddenly became something else entirely. Why didn't Mama believe me? I wondered. What made her think I had asked Lottie instead of Dinah?

"Why are you in here on such a nice summer's day?" Miss Young asked, entering my chamber from the schoolroom. "I've searched high and low for you in the gardens, but I find you locked away here."

"I didn't feel much like going outside, Miss Young," I responded dully. "I wanted to sit here. I felt..."

"I understand," the governess stated, smiling. "All young girls get the same feeling at that time of the month. You'll feel more like yourself tomorrow. In the meantime, this message arrived for you." Claudia Young held out a white envelope.

I took the letter and recognized Spencer's handwriting immediately. Wondering why he wrote when he was due to arrive for dinner, I frowned at it. Finally, I slit the top and took out a single sheet.

'My Dearest,' he wrote.

'I am afraid I must beg your pardon for this evening. My brother, Benedick, has had a riding accident. We believe he has broken his leg. Father wishes me to come home immediately. I am leaving by the earliest train. It's quite a journey up to Yorkshire. I am sure you will make my excuses this evening.

'All my love

'Spencer'

"Oh dear," I sighed, the stationery dropping from my fingers. Miss Young picked it up quickly and scanned the contents. "Poor Benedick. I must send a response immediately. Will you have one of the grooms rush it to the train station?"

"Certainly," my governess affirmed quickly. "We'll catch him in plenty of time before the train leaves." I wrote my response hurriedly, including a get well soon message for Benedick. Miss Young dashed it down to the stables. I felt relieved when she returned three-quarters of an hour later to confirm that Spencer had received my return message.