Alethea thought back to the last time they had met. The bittersweet day of freedom when the nunnery was shut down and they were all finally allowed to return to their families.
"But we are together now," Alethea said firmly, "And we shall never lose touch again, I swear it."
"We've been through too much to ever truly be parted." Temperance nodded in agreement.
"Indeed," Charity said briskly, "I rather think the five of us are inextricably stuck with one another, whether we will it or not."
"Like sisters," Maria suggested.
The word hung warmly in the air. Yes, sisters. That was the right word to describe their bond.
"Alethea, we are all positively brimming with curiosity about you," Temperance spoke again. The others nodded in agreement.
"Oh yes, indeed. We've so much to ask," Prudence grinned.
"Your wedding, what an unexpectedly incredible thing. You absolutelymusttell us everything," Maria encouraged.
Alethea felt heat rush to her cheeks at their expectant gazes. Of course they were curious. It was only natural.
"Well," she began slowly, twisting her fingers in her lap, "you know that after the nunnery was dissolved, I went to live with my sisters in London."
"Yes, yes, and then the next we hear, you're swept off by a duke! Spare none of the delicious details, please," Temperance said, impatiently.
Alethea bit her lip.
"I suppose one could say that it was all decided so quickly," Alethea said, not giving too many details. "Oliver gave me a choice to marry him."
"And you said yes," Maria leaned forward.
"Yes." Alethea paused, searching for the right words.
"Well, you make it sound rather uneventful," Temperance replied. "I read one of the scandal sheet papers. It said the Duke was so enamored of you that he decided to marry you within the week."
"Well, you know how they exaggerate," Alethea blushed. "The truth will not sell half as many papers, I suppose. At any rate, the result is the same: I became Oliver's wife. We married at once, in a small ceremony with just my family present."
"We would have attended by all means it if we'd known," Temperance said.
"Indeed," Maria added softly, "I would have liked to be there for you."
Alethea looked around at their dear faces and felt a pang of regret.
"I'm sorry I couldn't have you there. It all happened in a blink."
"It must have been overwhelming," Prudence gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Or exciting," Temperance winked.
"I still find it hard to believe that this is my life now," Alethea admitted. "Sometimes I still feel like I'm dreaming and I shall wake up again in the nunnery."
"Are you… content?" Temperance inquired. "Is His Grace treating you well?"
"Oliver is a good man," Alethea answered immediately. "Patient with me and understanding. I couldn't have hoped for better."
"Oh, I'm so glad," Maria sighed. "I prayed you would find happiness even in such unexpected circumstances."
"The real question, my dear, is… how is married life treating you in the private sense?" Temperance said, the teasing tone returning.
"Temperance!" Prudence protested, half-laughing.
