When Lady Tremaine’s carriage finally pulled up in front of Lady Hackle’s estate, her friend was there to greet her. She was so happy to have finally arrived after traveling all day by train. The carriage ride from the station wasn’t terribly long, but it felt like an eternity after the long train journey, and she couldn’t wait to be shown to her room so she could refresh herself after her long journey. Lady Hackle’s estate was a lovely, grand, and stately place, adorned with gargoyles and stained glass. It was the sort of home you’d expect to be rife with suits of armor, though that wasn’t Lady Hackle’s style.

The footman quickly and quietly spirited Lady Tremaine’s trunks away, closely supervised and followed by her lady’s maid, Mrs. Bramble. Lady Tremaine had inherited Mrs. Bramble from her mother. She was an older woman, as prickly as her name suggested, and always ready to share gossip about what was going on downstairs. Her hair was entirely silver and wild. She didn’t usually bother to keep it up in a bun, which was the fashion then, but she had made sure to tidy it up for their visit to the country. Lady Tremaine wondered what delicious tales she would hear from the servants on this trip.

“Good afternoon, my sweet friend,” said Lady Hackle, holding out her arms in welcome.

“Good afternoon, Prudence,” said Lady Tremaine, taking her hands and kissing her on the cheek. The ladies had been friends for many years and had become almost like sisters. Lady Tremaine always looked forward to their visits. Lady Hackle was a handsome woman, with light hair and eyes and an upturned button nose that Lady Tremaine found endearing. Something about her face had always reminded her of a sweet little rabbit.

Lady Hackle kept her gaze on the carriage, expecting to see Anastasia and Drizella step out next. “My dear, where are the girls? Are they coming in another carriage with Nanny Pinch?”

Lady Tremaine sighed. “I’m sorry, Prudence, neither of them are feeling well, and I thought it best they stay behind.” Lady Tremaine didn’t like lying to her old friend, but she didn’t have the strength to tell her about the girls just yet. And what would she say, anyway? That she had spoiled them beyond redemption? That she feared she would be stuck with them into old age because they’d become so horrible no one would ever want to marry them? No. She wanted to rest and relax. This was her time, and honestly all she wanted to do was forget about her wretched little beasts, at least for the rest of the day.