Ben read it that night, stashing it away with the others. He blushed at every word, smiled at Miss Byrd's request. His stomach squirmed as he read the letter again, like the attention at a gathering had shifted to him. The paper seemed to warm against his fingertips. He could only imagine what kind of person she was – deviously headstrong and wildly outspoken, considerate and kind. A whirlwind of a person, her character drawing you in like a moth to a flame. Laughing, unrestricted, surrounded by suitors who stared with such amazement and admiration.

The thought made him smirk, only to have it chased away as he chastised himself.

He was in quietly good spirits the next few days, outwardly manifested as a wary smile refusing to budge from his lips. He met people's eyes, bowing his head briefly before his feet took him along. Ben moved a little easier with Theodore's old coat wrapped around his shoulders, the sky cloudless and bright. Durmont, downcast from a sudden downpour of freezing rain, moved at a sluggish pace as the roads thawed out. The air crisp and dry, skin burning because of his thin clothes, Ben thought out his response.

A part of him could only hope, one day, that he would have the opportunity to thank her, and her family, in person.

Over several nights, Ben carefully wrote, keeping an eye on the rising sun as his time ticked away. Draft after draft felt entirely too personal, and he did not wish to overstep his bounds. She had other things to do, that he knew. Why did she bother writing back to someone as lowly as him?

February 18, 1894

Dear J. Byrd,

I do appreciate your insistence that I do not need to apologize, also that I merely write to you if I have any further questions. I am touched by the thought and do not know how else to say my thanks.

Please do not feel the need to reply back to this letter. Your saying you will reply is quite kind and I feel deeply fortunate by the offer, but you must be quite busy with your own schedule, and I do not wish to inconvenience you with such unimportant matters.

Sincerely,
B. Price