Prologue

"Frances Turner, if you don't hurry, the carriages will leave without us!" Agnes cried out as she folded another shift and placed it in her trunk.

"You caution me of that as if it wouldn't be welcome news," Frances answered dryly without looking up from her book.

"Now Frannie, don't sound put out with Aggie," Emma interjected. "You know she is about always being prompt. It's practically a sickness. She can't help it."

"It is rude to keep others waiting, that's all," Agnes replied with a slight sneer, "just as it's rude to talk about people as though they aren't standing right in front of you."

Frances smiled at her two best friends and closed her book, tossing it beside her open trunk and sighing.

"What will I do without seeing the pair of you every day?" she asked, sounding wistful.

"What on earth do you mean? We're all going to live in London. You'll see us plenty, never fear!" Emma answered, linking her arm through Agnes' elbow and leaning her head on her shoulder.

"That's true. Mother has already written me with a list of our upcoming obligations for our first Season—"

"Don't you mean invitations?" Frances asked, laughing lightly.

"Is there a difference?" Emma teased, rolling her eyes.

Agnes only frowned at both of them. "We are obligated to accept the invitations. Is that better? Now, let's hurry and finish packing our things lest we are late leaving here. You know we'll have to spend at least three nights in an inn as it is, and I have no desire to make it four!"

Frances did as Agnes implored, rising to her feet and finally retrieving the rest of her things from her drawers. The three of them had shared this room for nearly four years, and it was almost impossible to believe they would no longer be as close as sisters. The thought of going to finishing school in the first place had been heartbreaking enough, but now that it was behind her, Frances was dreading returning to London.

"Frannie? Did you hear me?" Emma asked while Agnes looked on.

"I'm sorry, I was thinking of something. What did you say?"

"I asked if you've had any more letters from your aunt and uncle?"

"No," Frances confessed quietly, shaking her head. "Only the one."

From the corner of her eye, she noted how her friends exchanged a worried glance. But Frances was determined to make their final moments together as cheerful as possible.

"I'm sure they're just very busy, that's all. After all, their own daughter is having her first Season as well. That means a lot of preparation and planning…"

And expense, Frances added silently.

"Of course. I'm certain that's all it is," Agnes said, sounding overly cheerful all of a sudden.

"There! I'm all finished packing. Are you quite satisfied?" she asked with a grin, changing the subject.

"Only because you didn't fold a single garment."

"Aggie," Emma warned. "We shall not quarrel on our final day at Miss Chatham's School for Ladies." Tears pooled in her eyes and she grabbed a chemise to wipe them. "What shall I do without you both with me? I don't want to meet a gentleman and get married! I want to stay here with both of you!"

Frances smiled endearingly and threw her arms around her. Soon, Agnes had joined them. Together, the three friends stood silently for a moment, each lost in their little heartache.

"Never fear," Frances finally said, untangling herself from her friends' loving clutches and standing up straighter, looking at them confidently. "No matter what may come, we shall always be as sisters. Forever."