Thankfully, he waved that away. “Of course. But feel no obligation to give up your day off. Tuesday is soon enough, unless you grow bored.”

Entirely possible, since Ivy would be teaching and Mama had an aid meeting. Although perhaps she would see if Ara would like to have tea or something. They rarely had the chance to socialize outside of Charing Cross, but her friend had taken the day off tomorrow too.

“See you soon,” Hall said by way of farewell as they mounted the stairs. He continued up them when she peeled off at the first landing and aimed herself out the back door.

The weather was beautiful, a perfect afternoon that would lead to a perfect evening for a wedding. The warmth in the air put a bounce in her step as she hurried home.

Eaton opened the door for her the moment her foot touched the first stair, his eyes gleaming. “You had better hurry. Miss Ivy is in a state.”

Lily chuckled and turned toward her darkroom rather than toward where her sister waited. “I’ll be up as soon as I drop this off.”

She did hurry, though, depositing the film in a bin, her old bag with it, and then picking up a new bag Ivy had given her to match her gown. This she’d already packed with her two favorite cameras and more blank film than she could possibly use in a single night.

“There you are! I swear, Silly Lily.” Ivy charged into the corridor, her eyes wide, as Lily closed the door on her darkroom. “You’re going to be late! You aren’t even dressed yet.”

“I have plenty of time.”

The exasperated huff of breath Ivy gave her disagreed. Her sister grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her toward the stairs. “Up to your room, young lady. Now. I won’t have you looking anything less than perfect for this occasion, thank you very much. It’s far too exciting.”

“Ivy.” How was it that seeing Ivy’s enthusiasm put a check upon her own? Made anxiety overtake the hope she’d been dwelling on all day? “It isn’t that exciting. I’ll be taking photos—”

“You’ll be breathing too.” Ivy sent an amused look over her shoulder. “No point in listing what you always do as a reason for the night not being special.”

Well, she couldn’t exactly say to her sister, “I don’t mean to get any more attached to my date until I know the government has decided he’s on the up-and-up.” She opted instead for the most convincing argument for temperance in this situation that she’d been able to land upon. “Well, how about this as a bit of cold water on the excitement? It’s been two months and he doesn’t trust me any more now than he did at day two of our acquaintance.”