Mary adjusted her white shawl. Seated in the Henderson's sitting room, she pushed her needle through the front, flipped the cush­ion cover over and withdrew it from the back. Then she laid her embroidery in her lap and took a forgotten breath. She watched the expressions on Elizabeth's face change as she read the words of her borrowed book. Then she inspected the fire in the hearth. Finally, she turned to look out the large window. "It's snowing."

Elizabeth put the marker in her book, laid it down and walked to the window. "What fun John will have when he awakes. Did Caroline and Etta go to town?"

"They did. They fetch new cloth, you know."

Elizabeth puffed her cheeks, "I grow weary of the fittings and we've more than enough clothing to last a life time."

"True, but it pleases Etta and gives the servants something to do. How can we refuse?" Mary set her sewing aside and joined her sister at the window.

"I miss him so, Mary."

"Of course you do. You were only just married when we left England. It is too soon for separation."

"How did you endure all those weeks of Uriah's absence?"

"I had no other choice."

Elizabeth changed the subject, "If our husbands are not thieves and we don't truly have an Aunt Charlotte, then where did the jewels come from?"