“Of course you can,” Fiona said encouragingly. “We have complete confidence in you. But in the meantime, if you should find yourself in a bind, please know you can count on us.”

“I know,” Sophie said, thankful. “I’ve always been able to depend on you. Indeed, I’m not certain I would have survived our years at Miss Haywinkle’s without you.”

“You have that backward,” Lily said with a chuckle. “I was the one who was forever being called into the headmistress’s office. You were the one taking first honors in every subject.”

“We had such grand dreams back then,” Sophie said, almost overcome with longing to return to the days when anything seemed possible. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she glanced at the clock on the mantel and shot her friends a regretful look. “I promised Mama I’d return home by early afternoon. I should go.”

Fiona gave a playful pout. “Our time together always passes too quickly.”

“Always,” Sophie agreed. “But perhaps I’ll see you both at Lady Rufflebum’s ball Wednesday evening?”

“Gray and I will be there,” Fiona said brightly.

“Nash and I are going too.” Lily looked up from her journal and waved her pen like a flag. “Soph, you should wear the emerald silk to the ball!” She and Fiona had given Sophie the gorgeous gown as a birthday gift several weeks ago. Sophie had planned to save it for a special occasion, but the season would be over before she knew it, and opportunities were running out. Soon she’d be officially betrothed to a man she didn’t love, and shortly after that, she’d become his wife. She suppressed a shiver and reminded herself that a loveless marriage was a small price to pay for her family’s security.

“Perhaps I will wear the green gown,” Sophie mused. “Let us hope that the shocking display of décolletage doesn’t cause Lady Rufflebum to faint straightaway.” She gave her friends a wink before collecting her portmanteau and saying goodbye. Fiona and Lily proceeded to hug and fuss over her like she was embarking on an expedition to Egypt instead of walking a few blocks across town.

A half hour later, Sophie breezed through the front door of her family’s townhouse, hung her bonnet on its peg, and peered into the hallway looking glass, smoothing several tendrils of hair behind her ears. “Hullo,” she called out. “I’m home, Mama.”

Her mother emerged from the drawing room doors at the top of the stairs and waved at Sophie excitedly. “You have an unexpected visitor, darling.”