Alex looked out the carriage door window so see her father standing there in his normal controlling way, surrounded by his army of servants. Was the spectacle necessary? For Sir McPadraic, Alex was sure it was but, in her mind, she would have preferred him and her sisters to be the ones greeting her home. But instead of feeling annoyed, she reminded herself that she would have to hold her tongue, more then she ever had if this was going to work.

She waited for the footman instead of just getting out like she would have done a year ago, taking the time to steady herself for what was about to happen. She allowed him to assist her in getting out, hand in his as she took her time to be careful so her dress wouldn’t end up caught or muddy. Once on the ground, she walked her way up to her father, keeping her eyes looked on him as her hands held the hem of her dress out of the mud. How she missed her shorter dresses…

Alexandra stopped in front of him and smiled softly as he embraced her, her eyes warm with a mixture of happiness of her return home and the lingering sadness of having been away. She returned the kiss. “As do you Father. How are you?” she replied, keeping her attention on him. As much as she disagreed with her father, she was pleased to see him. She had missed him while away. Had missed her family… well most of it. The woman still could disappear for all she cared…