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terrace. Her face shone with happiness. She brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, and smiled at her sister. “And did you see that maid in the hall? You must have recognized her! It was Rose. You remember Rose, don’t you? We used to play together all the time. Hasn’t she grown up pretty and elegant-looking? I wonder if I dare ask her if she remembers that we used to play together. Would that be proper?”
    Ada laughed. They walked down the steps of the terrace and onto the lawn.
    “You have to remember that we are not children anymore. Don’t go making her feel uncomfortable.”
    “I suppose you’re right.” Georgiana half sighed. “We all have our places and must stick to them.”
    “Yes…like pieces on a chessboard,” Ada said, a little sadly.
    “Some of us are pawns, and some are queens.” Georgiana looked up as crows flew over, cawing. “I wonder how we all look to the birds—perhaps they can’t tell the difference from above.”
    They walked on, Ada wrapped in her own thoughts as she looked out toward the gently curving hills and the shadowy woods. Georgiana broke the silence.
    “I sometimes thought we’d never come home. After Mama died, it seemed impossible to imagine returning without her.” She sighed. “I suppose Papa must be very much in love with Mrs. Templeton.” Her voice had lost its enthusiasm.
    “Of course he is,” said Ada, mirroring her sister’s tone. Her father had met his betrothed on his last trip to England. Ada saw how his face lit up when a lavender-colored envelope appeared with the post at breakfast. Unlike her sister, she had not been surprised when her father announced their engagement.
    “Hmm. You wouldn’t think it, at his age.”
    Ada’s eyes lit up as a real smile broke through.
    “Georgie, you sound like an old lady!”
    “Oh, I adore romance! But…I wish we didn’t have to live with strangers. I can’t bear the idea of it.”
    Ada caught her sister’s eyes. “We have been over this, Georgie. We have no choice but to live with them so we may as well make the best of it.”
    “I know,” Georgiana sighed. “It’s just such a strange homecoming. I never imagined Papa getting married. Least of all to someone with three children of her own. We’ll never have Papa to ourselves.”
    “They might be delightful.”
    “And they might be dreadful.” She went on, “But you have nothing to worry about. Sooner or later one of your many admirers will propose, and then you’ll be a married lady and I’ll be left here, alone, with the Templetons!” Georgiana laughed, and then coughed, putting a handkerchief to her mouth.
    Ada could not bring herself to smile.
    Georgiana looked curiously into her sister’s face, but Ada did not meet her eyes. Her thoughts had returned to Ravi, to her own shame.
    They walked in silence across the lawn, their shoes leaving impressions in the grass, which was silvery with dew.
    “It is a terrible thing the way Papa’s appointment in India ended,” Georgiana said in a low voice. “Oh, Ada, do you think he has really done something wrong? I don’t want to think it, but…”
    Ada shook her head. It was almost a relief to put Ravi out of her mind for a moment. “I don’t believe he has done anything, any of the things they accuse him of. I won’t believe it. It would be too disgraceful. There has to be more to it than there seems.”
    “He has said nothing to you?”
    “No, nothing. But I can only think the best of him.”
    “Of course,” said Georgiana. She sighed. “I do wish someone loveable would fall in love with me, or you, though, and there would be a real wedding.” She half laughed.
    “You sound tired.” Ada looked at her keenly. “You’ve walked too far—and in this cold and damp, you’re not used to it.”
    “Oh, I’m perfectly well!” Georgiana protested, though her face looked drawn. “I can walk as far as the trees, I’m sure.”
    “No, absolutely not. Come on, now, if you want romance you