Persephone smiled at Donald as he returned and sat down beside her. In the five minutes he was gone, she'd been wondering about her sister, and if she'd grown much in her older sister's absence.

"I am looking forward to this trip. I won't lie."

Persephone gave a soft laugh and gently laid her hand on her fiance's arm. "No need to lie," she said, turning her smile to him, "I am very glad you are as excited as I am." Truly, she couldn't wait to see her sister again. Her parents, too, of course, though her eagerness to see them was mostly from the hope her engagement would appease them and allow her to see Harriet often again, despite remaining in Whitby with Donald.