"Perhaps they found them. There was that day Caleb went to Manchester, you may recall. You said yourself his countenance changed and not long after we boarded the ship."

"Why did they not just tell us they found them."

Mary considered the question, "Well . . . because a wealthy man is an easy target for robbers. Think of the unsavory men we were forced to endure on the voyage and how much we would have fretted knowing we had a fortune in jewels to protect."

"Perhaps you are right. They were wise not to worry us and no doubt they will tell us once we have homes of our own."

Jane arrived with the afternoon tea, "Did you see the rider? Etta sent word that they will wait in town until the snow subsides." She poured two cups of tea and uncovered a dish of cookies. "Miss Mary, Etta says you are to eat every last crumb."

"Jane, no one can eat twenty or thirty times a day."

Jane giggled, waited for the sisters to sit down and served them. "Oh, I nearly forgot." She set the tray down and hurried from the room. When she came back, she held a letter in her hand. "For you Miss Elizabeth."

"Me?"

"From your husband." Jane nodded and left the room.