A cacophony of loud voices greeted me the following morning when I approached the dining room. I peeped around the door to discover the Plumbs devouring their morning meal. Since I hadn't expected them, their appearance surprised me. Spying Papa on the veranda, I joined him quickly.

"They arrived for the Christening," my father explained when I sat across from him. "It's planned for tomorrow morning."

"Do they intend to christen the baby Jesse?" I asked, my heart sinking.

"Apparently," Papa responded, his lips barely moving.

"Lottie stole that name from me, Papa," I explained, filling him in on the details. "She is doing it for spite, just to hurt me. I wish..."

My father waved me to silence. He did not listen to my lament. I expected he had too much on his mind for me to burden him with my problems. Charlotte hurt him as much as she hurt me. I swore never to share a secret with her again.

Papa and I sat silently in the autumn morning. Although a bit crisp, the colder weather held off, providing a perfect beginning to the day. I wished for continual peace. However, Lottie appeared pushing the baby in his pram. She plunked down beside me and lifted the newborn child into her arms.

"See what I did," she chortled, holding the baby beneath his arms and shoving him toward me.

My stomach tightened at her statement. A thick lump formed in my throat, and I nearly gagged on it. Focusing on the child, I noticed his resemblance to Joel. Wisps of soft brown hair surrounded his pinched face, and when he opened his eyes, they were Everstow eyes—sapphire blue. My heart softened toward him, and I looked at him in amazement.

"Are you going to take him or what?" Lottie shrilled, pushing her child into my arms. "Go on then, say hello to little Jesse Horace."

"I...I..." I stammered, my voice choking with unshed tears. I handed the baby back to Lottie and stood up. I rushed inside, running straight into Joel. He grasped my arms, stopping me. "I suggest you keep your wife away from me." Extricating myself from his hold, I yanked out of his grasp and ran up the stairs.

Unable to contain my emotions, I had a headache and refused to attend the christening ceremony. I could not, under the circumstances, listen without bursting into tears. I remained in my room until the Plumbs departed.

A few days passed before I emerged from my bedroom and joined Papa for breakfast. We ate our morning meal in silent companionship. I relished the peace until Bertha and Despina appeared. They helped themselves from the sideboard and plopped down at the table. My heart leaped into my throat.

"I think I will go up to Mama," I excused myself. I hadn't visited her since my return from Yorkshire. "She asked me to read 'Lady's Audley's Secret' before I left. She was quite interested in Mary Elizabeth Brandon's book. It's rather intriguing."

When Papa nodded his assent, I kissed him on the cheek and swiftly departed. Stopping in the library, I picked up the book and entered Mama's wing. A fire blazed beneath the mantle, and the room felt overly warm. My mother stretched across her chaise lounge and smiled at me welcomingly.

"I brought 'Lady Audley's Secret,' I exclaimed after greeting her. "Shall I begin?" I pulled a stool close to her and sat.

"In a moment, dearest," Mama stated, pulling herself into a sitting position. "I thought you would like to discuss your wedding plans first."

"Surely that can wait a bit, Mama," I responded noncommittally. "We have plenty of time."

"I assumed you might want to rush the details," my parent remarked, "all things considered."

"Oh, well, I sorted most of it with Spencer while I was with him. Naturally, we will have to speak to Uncle Everett, but it's all rather simply arranged," I commented, opening the novel. I bent my head to begin to read.

"Did your young man accompany you? I thought you wanted to introduce him before the ceremony." Reaching out, Mama closed my book and slipped it from my fingers. She held it in her lap.

"We left in a great hurry, and Spencer stayed in Yorkshire. I thought perhaps he could spend Christmas with us." I retrieved the book and reopened it. "We could all get to know each other over the holidays."

Mama's brow furrowed anxiously, and a quizzical expression crossed her face. I assured her there was nothing to worry about. Again, I stated we had plenty of time. I did not particularly wish to rush into the plans on my first visit with my mother following my vacation.

Jane appeared to remove Mama's breakfast tray. She greeted me with a smile. When I glanced in her direction, I noticed two dressmaker dummies in the corner. Each wore a yellow gown. I stood and looked them over. Maggie Wills was kept well-occupied during my absence.

"Mama?" I asked, drawing her attention. "Why are Bertha and Despina still here? I thought they went home with their parents. Did Lottie ask them to help with the baby?"

"No, they are staying for the wedding, dear," my mother responded, brightening considerably. "We thought it the most convenient course of action."

Suddenly, my heart began to patter wildly in my chest. I wondered why the gruesome sisters would remain with us until the spring. It seemed extreme for them to hang around for an extended period.

"Who are those dresses for, Mama?" I asked, spinning around to face her. "I thought Cordelia and Viola would have their dresses made. We discussed fabrics and styles in Yorkshire."

"Who are Cordelia and Viola?" Mama asked blankly. Jane stood behind her, wringing her hands nervously.

"Spencer's sisters, who else?" I responded hotly. "What's going on here?"

"Why? Priscilla, dear, you act as though you don't know your plans. Surely, you realize the wedding is next month. You haven't forgotten." Mama's eyes widened, and she glared at me as though I had suddenly gone mad.

"Next month?!" I shouted, my mind whirling at an incredible speed. Sinking onto the stool, I buried my head in my hands. "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" Tears streamed down my cheeks. I clutched my throbbing head and fell onto the floor. When I awoke, I lay on the divan with Jane standing over me. She held a bottle of smelling salts.

"Where's Mama?" I asked, attempting to sit up. Jane cautioned me to remain in a prone position.

"She fainted also," Jane explained, wringing her hands. "The doctor is with her."

"Oh, dear." I collapsed against the pillows.

When the doctor appeared, he examined me and gave me a sedative. I slept on the divan for several hours. Jane tended both Mama and me for the remainder of the afternoon. Finally, I asked her to sit beside me.

"How did my wedding plans change from when I left for Yorkshire until now?" I asked, holding the maid with my forceful eyes.

"I cannot say, Miss Priscilla," Jane responded, casting her eyes downward. "Lady Everstow insisted your young man was returning with you and that he would remain here for one month. At the end of that time, the wedding would take place."

"Spencer and I arranged the wedding for the beginning of spring when the daffodils come up," I explained sharply. "I want a bouquet of daffs. I'm quite adamant about it. Who changed the plans?"

"I cannot say, Miss Priscilla," the maid repeated stubbornly. "You made the plans with Lady Everstow before you departed. Surely, you must remember."

"Surely I must not!" I heatedly declared. "I asked Mama to refrain from making plans until after my return from Yorkshire. I wanted to discuss them with Spencer and set a date with him. I do not know how or why the situation changed."

"Oh dear," Jane mourned, wringing her hands. "You must remember, Priscilla. The wedding's arranged for next month. Lottie and her sisters are in the wedding party. Bertha and Despina are remaining until that time."

"Lottie and her sisters are most certainly not in the wedding party!" I practically shouted. "I repeat: MOST CERTAINLY NOT!"

Tears sprang to my eyes. I could not control my hysterical outburst. Sobbing wildly, I rose from the divan and hastened from the room. I did not stop until I reached my bedroom. I slammed the door and plummeted onto the bed. Miss Young burst in and stood over me.

"Priscilla!" my governess exclaimed.

"All my plans ruined," I cried, sitting up and wiping tears from my cheeks. "How am I going to tell Spencer?"

"Whatever happened?" Miss Young asked, sitting on my mattress's edge. "What plans?"

I paused to catch my breath, my chest heaving. When I was able to speak, I explained the unexpected situation.

"It's Lottie; she's taken over my life!" I concluded hotly. "She's convinced Mama the wedding is next month. Her sisters are now bridesmaids instead of Cordelia and Viola. Shouldn't I decide who my bridesmaids are? Have I gone mad?"

Miss Young frowned, her brow furrowing into deep ridges. She looked as perplexed as I felt. Flinging my arms around her, I sobbed into her shoulder, my body palpitating with my sorrow. I could not control my emotions.

"Everything will work out in the end, Priscilla," my governess advised. "Talk firmly to your mother tomorrow and explain the situation. She'll understand."

"I tried to talk to Mama," I moaned, "but she's absolutely sure I made those plans. I simply cannot get through to her. I don't know what happened, but I'm positive Lottie is behind it. She and her sisters are a part of my wedding now. Who else could do such a thing?"

"Don't jump to conclusions," Miss Young solemnly advised. "You don't know what happened yet. I'm sure she will understand when you speak with your Mama."

"Ok, Miss Young," I responded dully. "I'll speak to her tomorrow and settle everything."

"In the meantime, I'll send Ann Marie in with a glass of hot milk. It will soothe you." My governess kissed my forehead and tucked me into bed.

I drank the milk the maid brought in and curled beneath my blankets. Tears welled in my eyes, and I eventually cried myself to sleep. When I awoke, my mind remained as cluttered as before. I couldn't stop thinking about the situation. Somehow, I had to find solace.

Rising, I lit the lamp and sat at my desk. Taking a sheet of stationery from the drawer, I stared at the blank sheet. I grasped my pen and started to detail my lament. Filling in page upon page, I finally completed my letter and addressed the envelope to Spencer. He had to understand; he had to help me. In the morning, I gave the letter to Ann Marie to post straightaway. I could not recall everything I had said, but I felt confident about my fiancé's imminent arrival.