“Never mind me.” Molly sniffed, dabbing fiercely at her cheeks, “I’ll be fine. I’ve a wee stash of savings, and Her Grace has been most generous.” She began to pack up Margaret’s dressing case. “I haven’t the heart to work for another lady, to tell you the truth—it just wouldn’t be the same. A cottage in the country is what I have in mind, doing a bit of sewing to keep the wolf from the door.”

“Goodness! Won’t you be lonely? You’re so used to being around people.”

“Well now, as a matter of fact, I won’t be on my own.” Molly continued to fuss with the brushes and bottles. “As it turns out, Esther has been hankering for a bit of a change, too. If we pool our resources, we’ll be quite comfortable.”

“You’re going to set up home with Esther! But that’s wonderful,” Margaret said, highly relieved, if somewhat astonished. “Why are you blushing?”

Molly opened her mouth to say something, then changed her mind. “It’s what we want, Esther and I, and it’s nobody else’s business but ours.”

“Yes, of course, absolutely,” Margaret said, slightly baffled, “though I can’t imagine why anyone would question it.”

“No, I’m sure you can’t, bless you,” Molly said. “Never mind Esther and me for now, my lady. I’m going to speak my mind, since it’s my last day in His Grace’s employ. You were very wrong to get yourself into a fankle with Father Sebastian, but you got yourself out of it before it was too late. I know how sorely you’ve taken it, and Esther says Father Sebastian has been a bit of a wee soul, but it was the right thing to do, and I hope you’ll both realise that in time.”

“I already do. It would have been a big mistake for both of us. But my father doesn’t know about Sebastian’s proposal, Molly. The reason I’m being sent away is because I won’t marry Killin.”

“Well, then, I think His Grace is treating you disgracefully,” Molly exclaimed. “I know better than most how hard you tried.”

“And yet I failed, and now I am being punished.” She would not cry, not when this was likely the last time she would see Molly. Margaret managed a grim little smile. “Mama has arranged for me to go to Ireland. I am to stay with Lady Powerscourt, who is married to the son of Mama’s friend Lady Londonderry, by her first marriage. It will be quite a change.”

“It will that.” Molly pursed her lips. “You’re tougher than you look, my lady, you remember that. Every cloud, as they say. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that you have to take your happiness where you find it.”