*Mary*
I sit up in bed, brushing my hair, when the clock chimes ring through the hallway announcing the arrival of midnight. A servant will soon be about to quiet them until late morning. I'm not certain why my aunt insists that they be allowed to clang until the end of the day. My father insists on silence much sooner.
A knock sounds on the door. "Yes?"
Alicia peers in. "Are you terribly angry with me?"
"Not too terribly." I shake my head at my cousin's crestfallen expression. "No, not at all, really. It wasn't your fault."
Alicia darts across the bedchamber, jumps into bed with me, and snuggles beneath the covers. "I'm so glad you agreed to stay the night. And I'm so sorry about the silly game. It never occurred to me that Stephan would be holding the card. It was a rather stupid th
