"Oh, how I've missed you," Alethea leapt forward to greet them.
"Missed me? Look at you," Temperance cried, beaming. "You are a duchess now."
"Duchess or not, I remain the same Alethea you know," she retorted. Never did she want her friends to feel as though she was different now, even though her life had transformed completely.
"We were so worried about you!" Prudence whispered. "Ever since the wedding announcement. I'm so relieved you're all right."
"I'm perfectly all right," Alethea assured, gently stroking Prudence's back. "Happier now that you're here."
Prudence stepped back, hastily dabbing at her wet lashes. "I brought you some biscuits. I baked them myself this morning."
The kind gesture made Alethea's throat tighten. Typical Prudence, expressing love through small acts of care.
"You remembered exactly right what I like. Thank you."
Alethea turned to Charity, who still stood a step away as if uncertain. Alethea held out one hand invitingly.
"Charity."
"I'm glad you haven't been whisked off to some cloud beyond our reach,Your Grace," Charity murmured.
"Not a chance of that," she whispered. "I'm right here, firmly on earth and yours for as long as you'll have me."
Charity drew back with a swift nod, composing herself.
"Well, at least this Duke of yours keeps you in decent lodgings," she remarked drily. "I approve of the architecture."
Temperance burst out laughing. Trust Charity to hide her emotion under sarcasm.
"Come inside, all of you," Alethea said. "Welcome to my home. And please, don't mind the formalities. You've no idea how wonderful it is just to have you here."
"Lead the way, Your Grace," Temperance said, grinning. "I need to see how a duchess entertains."
"Behave, Temperance, or I shall instruct the footmen to throw you out bodily."
It felt incredible to be joking like this with her friends. Alethea felt a rush of warmth.
"How terrifying," Temperance quipped, unrepentant.
Alethea guided her friends down the hall to the drawing room.
Prudence gravitated toward the fireplace, extending her hands toward it.
"This is lovely," she said softly. "Oh, how cozy it is, Alethea."
"Do sit wherever you like," Alethea encouraged. "Make yourselves completely comfortable."
"You have so many books here," Maria murmured, almost to herself.
"Yes, Oliver's family collected quite a library," Alethea answered. "We shall peruse it later if you wish, Maria. I knew that it would pique your interest. You can even borrow one, if you so please."
"I would never," Maria's cheeks turned pink. "well, perhaps just one."
The ladies all sat down.
How different they all looked from the last time they were together, but still themselves.
"At last, we are reunited," Temperance broke the silence, "And in vastly improved circumstances from our last meeting, I must say."
