“Who will be on the guest list?” Eleanor asked, thoroughly ensconced in the blankets.
“Essentially the same guests as last year,” Ophelia said.
Prudence’s heart leapt. Leo and his mother had attended last year. If invited, surely they would venture here.
“But there is concern about traveling if the weather keeps up as is now.”
They all looked out the windows where fat, fluffy snowflakes fell in a slow, dizzyingly innocent descent.
But it did continue. After a fortnight, Berringbone cancelled the ball. It was a reckless proposition, as not only was it a perilous journey for his guests, but also the extra servants that would be required to bring in and prepare the food and the house. It was still a jolly holiday with the Bridewells and Prudence’s friends. The Pipers came out to be with Eleanor andher new husband, and Georgie seemed content with listening to Mrs. Piper’s chronic ailments.
But the days were slow for Prudence. They hiked in the snow with heavy woolen jackets on, allowing them a better idea of the conditions on the Matterhorn. She waited for the post to come, and when it did, was always disappointed when nothing came from Leo.
Until the day the post finally arrived, practically overflowing with letters for everyone.
“The weather,” Ophelia said as way of an explanation. The piles were sorted, and Prudence’s mail had been forwarded from the hotel. It contained two letters for Georgie, and a delicious stack for Prudence from her family. But as she flipped through the pile, one unsealed missive caught her attention.
Leo’s handwriting was clear and precise. His words simple and lacking any subtext of scandal. But Prudence was convinced she knew what it meant. She read between hissorry I missed you, and hisdeeply regret not being available.The feelings could be of her own invention, but perhaps they weren’t.
Clutching her remaining letters, she stood, looked at Georgie and said, “I have to go to London.”
“What, now?” Justine asked, looking at the window outside where even more snow fell.
Prudence followed her gaze to the weather, the dark, the difficulty such a journey would entail.
“For Mr. Moon?” Eleanor asked quietly.
Prudence nodded, afraid that if she spoke aloud, tears might start to trail down her cheeks. There was so much emotion that she hadn’t allowed herself to feel, all struggling to get out all at once.
The rest of the women were on their feet immediately.
“I’ll help you pack,” Georgie said, moving uncharacteristically quickly.
“I’ll arrange a carriage to the train, and find the schedule. Father has all of that.” Ophelia strode off to her father’s study. If anyone could make her logistics smoother, it was their leader.
“I’ll get you a basket prepped downstairs. Still a journey, and you’ll need some tea and sandwiches.” Justine grabbed Eleanor.
“I’ll get the warm bricks,” Eleanor said. “I know what to do, Justine. No need to prompt.”
The room emptied, and Prudence’s eyes glassed over with tears at the support from her friends. She couldn’t live without them, it seemed. They were a new family here in England, since her birth family was so very far away. She clutched their letters to her breast and headed up to her room to get changed.
She caught up to Georgie on the stairs.
“I think I might stay here for this,” Georgie said, her wide face scrunching up in question.
“That would be—” Prudence hadn’t thought this through. “—that would probably be for the best.”
In her bedroom, Prudence changed into her heaviest wool frock, with thick woolen underthings. Georgie was halfway through packing when Ophelia knocked and entered.
“Father is going with you,” she said. “He’ll wire ahead to make sure you have a carriage there waiting for you. It’s too cold to take chances.”
Prudence nodded, but doubt suddenly struck. Was she making something out of nothing? Was Leo only being polite in response to her visit? She had to put that thought out of her mind before she lost her courage.
*
JEFFREY APPEARED INthe drawing room with a silver tray. “A telegram, sir.”
It was nearly Christmas, and the room was filled with a sensory delight Leo had never known. Between his mother and father, the room looked and smelled like the very definition of cozy. The scents of cinnamon and clove wafted above the aroma of beeswax candles, and the garlands of pine gave a whimsical touch and a heady smell of forest. They were all there together in this beautiful room, the silver bells glinting in the firelight. His body felt loose from the spiced wine and the brandy that had followed dinner.
