Alexandra would have had to muffle a laugh at the remembrance of the dreary embroidery days were she not already in pain. Instead, she offered a sympathetic smile and reached a hand over to her sister. "Mother's knowledge of embroidery is vast, absorb it all while you can." For although her days had been dreary, colored with worries of remaining a spinster all her life and miseries of not being allowed to attend the roaring festivities, Alexandra did sometimes long for the simplicity of those days.

"The children would love to see their darling Aunt Ellie, I'm sure. Philippa has just returned from her month with the Roses as well, perhaps the two of you may bond over it."

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