Sarah Jane hurried to her room through the service staircase with Anne, thankful that her friend had saved her from an embarrassing and scandal-worthy situation with Lady Huntington and Lord Holt.

Her modesty gnawed at her, begging her to find an answer to how much Anne had observed. She wouldn't be able to take it back, but at least she would take some satisfaction in knowing what exactly and how much of it did she see.

"Anne," she began as they were safely in her room.

"Say no more." Anne held her hand up to discourage her from apologizing or doing something close to that, "I shall tell no one."

That was not what she was worried about.

"Thank you." She said gratefully as she changed into a fresh gown behind the dressing screen. "But, I was not pertaining to that..."

Anne sat on her bed, her legs crossed while she wondered what else might Sarah Jane request of her.

"I was merely concerned on how much you have... er..." She struggled as she pulled the new gown over her shoulders, moving away from the divider to look at her friend's reaction. "Well, that is to say..."

"I wasn't behind the door the entire time!" Anne looked visibly affronted at the accusation. "I would never spy on a lover's tryst!"

Sarah Jane caught a hysterical giggle with her hand, "That wasn't a lover's tryst!"

"Yes it was! What kind of behavior was that if not for a lover's tryst?" Anne concluded, her cheeks high with color.

Very well, that may just be the exact portraiture of a lover's tryst. It's not that she is denying what had occurred, but she just wants to know if she has seen or what she has seen, that is all.

"Did you see me... us?" She asked, sitting on the bed beside her friend. "How much did you... observe?"

Anne tipped her chin up, eyes cast downward as if to make a big show of looking so unaffected, "I saw your back, that you were over him, and heard kissing noises so I retreated behind the door to offer you some privacy to collect yourself."

"Thank you," a smile creeped up to her face, "again." she felt the need to add, as her gratitude might not be as apparent. "You saved me from disgrace, and for that, I am in your debt."

Sarah Jane did not want to think about all the consequences if they were caught. Anthony might be forced to marry her, which to anyone's eyes might be for her benefit, but that will be a lifetime of uncertainty if he married her only due to societal pressure and duty. She didn't want to be reduced to a duty, especially with him.

Anne shook her head. "We are friends." Saying it matter-of-factly made Sarah Jane's eyes water. How could she have been so lucky to find one true loyal friend in that infernal party?

Anne rose, bringing her hand to cover her friend's hands, "Besides, I am older, though unmarried, I do know what it's like to share a kiss with a gentleman."

Sarah Jane glanced at her friend curiously, a secretive grin dancing on her lips as they stood to move to the door. "That kind of kiss? With who?"

Anne blushed deeper, mutely shaking her head to keep her secret as she pulled Sarah Jane out of the room.

They were greeted by Mathilda in the hall.

"The ladies Killsworth and Huntington have been waiting for you for ages!" Mathilda clucked her tongue and started pushing Sarah Jane towards the corner to the staircase.

"Oh, I've missed you too!" Rolling her eyes affectionately to the matronly woman, she giggled and linked arms with Anne, finding the day extremely pleasant as compared to all the other days she had spent in London.

Both ladies entered the parlor to which Lord Holt was situated, arms linked and with fresh smiles on their faces due to the newfound friendship. The presence of Lady Killsworth startled Sarah Jane a little. Yes, the discovery of her arms wrapped around Killsworth would have definitely ended badly for the both of them.

Seeing both girls, Lord Holt stood, greeting them with a low grunt and barely a nod. He motioned for them to take their seats and to help themselves with some dried fruit and Danish pastries he had brought over.

Anne smiled, covering her hand over her mouth as she leaned to Sarah Jane to whisper.

"Do you know, Lady Huntington loves dried fruit." The remark causing both girls to giggle.

Lady Killsworth shot them a warning glance.

"It's so nice of you to call upon us, my lord. Are you planning to attend my dinner party tomorrow?" The elegant lady placed a hand on her skirt as she inquired the man in question.

"My lady, I wish to send you my regrets. 'Tis the reason why I am here" He said as he fixed a plate of the delectable pastry and handed it to Lady Huntington, who looked, bless her heart as if she was blushing.

He then proceeded to fix another plate and then gave it to Sarah Jane, who accepted it graciously. "I have matters to attend to in the parliament tomorrow evening, and I will sorely miss your company."

"Mmm." Lady Huntington made a sound of delight as she took a bit of the pasty's gooey center, filled with fruit jam.

Lord Holt smiled at her encouragingly. "My neighbor makes them, the street smells of butter all day."

Lady Killsworth moved to converse with Sarah Jane. "Did you hear that, Lady Sarah Jane? Lord Holt's street smells of butter all day."

Yes, of course, she heard it as Lord Holt did not speak in precisely hush tones. She nodded as Anne elbowed her, nudging her to the way Lady Huntington was eyeing Lord Holt.

"There will never be an instance where I could agree to marry him." Sarah Jane whispered to Anne, giving everyone in the room a sweet smile to hide her words.

Anne choked on a laugh. "As do I. I can never stomach competing with such an accomplished and experienced a lady." Both their eyes still fixated on Lady Huntington whose knuckles wobbled as she bit on the pastry.

"A very much of everything she is." She agreed and smiled as she consumed the Danish.

Sarah Jane did not mistake that comment for pleasant conversation. It was clear that Lady Killsworth wanted Sarah Jane to engage the old peer in polite yet meaningful banter. But could she really drag this on when she knew she could never take him as a husband?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Lady Huntington's coughing. She gently reached for the hot tea and assured everyone of her health.

"My visit won't take long. I just wished to inform you of my intentions as I will have to leave the city for at least a fortnight." Lord Holt stated, relaxing in his chair as he spoke to Lady Killsworth. "I've mentioned that I am in need of a spare, and due to that particularity, I am looking for a wife who can bear me a healthy boy."

He then eyed both girls. "I'm sure you have no delusions about this. Any of you will do, as long as you are willing to accept."

"Of course Lady Sarah Jane will accept!" Lady Huntington barked, setting her plate on the table. Lord Holt immediately placed dried fruit on it, pushing it back in her wrinkled hands even as she shook her head no.

The girls stifled a giggle, causing Lady Huntington to snap her head towards their direction.

They stilled, fearing that they will be getting a scolding in midst of company.

"Your hands are cold." Lord Holt muttered and then took a handkerchief from his pocket and inserted it in between Lady Huntington's fingers, her head swinging back to his direction, her eyes warming in gratitude.

"More tea, my lady?" He asked, but he was already pouring her a cup, swirling just the right amount of milk and sugar. The familiarity of it all was unmistakable.

Anne's expression turned from nervous to curious. Just what is going on between Lord Holt and Lady Huntington?

Lady Killsworth looked uncomfortable. "Err..."

Just then, Barnaby came to the door to announce that Lord Holt's carriage has arrived. He stood, bidding adieu to the ladies and started walking towards the door.

Lady Huntington called him, his stride stopping as he turned, "Your handkerchief, my lord."

He smiled, a warm sort of smile that turned any man handsome, and any woman's guts topsy-turvy. "Please do keep it warm and safe with you. I shall collect it when I return." He tipped his head and left, leaving Lady Huntington clutching the cloth between her skirts.

Sarah Jane and Anne looked at each other, broad smiles plastered on their faces.

That short sentence was definitely a proposal pointed to either of the young women, but to anyone with two whits between their temples, it was bright as day where Lord Holt's attentions truly belonged.

No, there wasn't any danger with Lord Holt. Anyone who wasn't blind as a bat would be able enough to see this clearly.

Sarah Jane is slowly eliminating the barricades to her happiness, victory is almost too sweet that she could taste it.

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A/N: this is one of the few short chapters! I promise to update another chapter within the week.

I just wanted to show you a glimpse of whatever else is happening aside from the 2 protagonists! Don't you like Anne very much? Writing this makes me want to have her as a friend. ❤️

What do you think? Leave me a comment as I do enjoy interacting with my readers a lot?

Again, if it's not too much to ask, if you enjoyed this please click the star and vote for the chapter! It means so much to me :)