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Patience giggled into her hand.
    “I’ve learned my place, you could say,” Obedience quipped.
    “It appears you haven’t ,” Her mother snapped. “Lord Willowton, I must apologize. Obedience has strayed far from her lessons in gentility. I hope she hasn’t been too intolerable.”
    Chance was about to speak, but Obedience cut him off. “I consider myself very tolerable , Mother. Compared to Patience, I’m a bloody saint.”
    Patience gasped. Chance coughed and immediately set down his drink.
    “I beg your pardon?” Her mother fumed.
    “Running of the house,” Obedience scoffed. “Patience can’t even pour her own bath water.”
    “It seems you haven’t the tolerance for spirits.” Lady Wickenham stood. She ripped the glass from Obedience’s hand, spilling sherry on the rug.
    Chance stood in bafflement and was doing everything in his power to keep himself from laughing. Obedience looked belligerent and mischievous, her eyes glazed from too much wine.
    “My sincerest apologies , Lord Willowton. My daughter is not well, and we must return home.”
    “But, Mother!” Patience shot to her feet, her arms rigid at her sides.
    “That’s enough, Patience. Tomorrow you can tell your sister how disappointed you are with her behavior.”
    Patience glared at her sister with hatred. Obedience stuck her tongue out at her.
    “I’ll have your carriage summoned ,” Chance offered and walked away before completely losing control of his laughter. He wished his father could have witnessed this farce.
    In the blink of an eye , they departed, Obedience towed out by her arm like a petulant child. In the carriage, Obedience slumped against the squabs as her mother glared icily at her. Once they passed the gates of Willowton Park, she unleashed her sword-like tongue, and proceeded to cut Obedience to pieces, but this time, Obedience didn’t care. Her words fell on cotton stuffed ears. The carriage rattled on, the coachman hearing every word her mother said until suddenly her mother stood and banged on the roof.
    “Why are we stopping?” Obedience asked.
    “Get out.” Her mother bit off.
    “What?” Obedience looked back and forth between her mother and her sister, twin expressions of hatred staring back at her.
    “I said that you would regret ruining this evening for us. You will walk back to the manor and think about what your life will become if you have ruined your sisters chances. Now get out.”
    “But... you’d have me walk in the dark?” Obedience said numbly. She looked to her sister for help. “Pat —” She was stunned by the stinging slap her sister gave her.
    Holding her hand to her cheek as her eyes began to water, she scurried out of the coach. The door slammed, and the coachman didn’t even spare her a glance as they rolled away.
     

Chapter 4
    Chance stood on the terrace with his violin in his hand and looked up at the sky. It was crystal clear. A blanket of black velvet sprinkled with white diamonds. The moon was full and bright, illuminating the lawn and paths up to the side of the oak grove that bordered the lawn. He was trying to settle his thoughts after the disastrous dinner. Thoughts of Obedience had plagued him when he tried to retire for the night, so he pulled his old violin out from the music room and came outside to play. He lifted his violin to his chin. It felt awkward at first, his fingers stiff from lack of play. He hadn’t picked up his violin in years, but as he set the bow to the strings, it was already becoming familiar. The first chord wafted into the air, and the frogs and crickets quieted. To an audience of creatures and stars, he tested each chord, tuning the violin until its music drifted from the strings in perfect harmony. He started with a sultry song that vibrated and hummed to warm his fingers, and then took things higher to a lively ballad that burst with joy and excitement. He was really feeling it now, his fingers sliding effortlessly over the strings and his