Once again Amelia was the first one downstairs ready to take her breakfast. The world was full of opportunities and unexpected possibilities. Or so she thought. In fact, the day was to be like exactly any other.

She didn’t wait too long to be joined by Jane and the other children. It didn’t even take too long for the Spencers to join them. Such was the power of freshly baked scones. And the company of course.

“Oh, Thomas, so glad you are joining us,” Mrs Spencer cooed. Mr Spencer wished Mr Edwards good morning before he continued with another scone. Jane and Amelia just silently watched their father. Would he say anything?

“Good morning, you should have let us know in case you were leaving early,” Mr Edwards simply commented. At times he wondered who needed who more, his daughters the help of the Spencers with their introduction to the society, or the Spencers using his daughters as a free ticket to the said society. According to Mr Edwards Mrs Spencer had the manners that only matched the social status of the man she married. No money could not compensate that. But he wondered how it was possible Mrs Edwards and Mrs Spencer were actually sisters, brought up the same way. He never once considered that where Mrs Spencer went after the money, Mrs Edwards opted for the promise of the title. In the long run, Mrs Edwards knew she lost to her sister.

“We were just talking about it,” Mr Spencer said. The sound of his voice surprised Mrs Spencer so much she almost dropped her cup of tea.

“I believe Jane would like to join Lady Bottomley as soon as possible. We would leave after the Christmas Day to be in London in time for New Year festivities,” and to avoid any New Year festivities in the countryside.

“Splendid,” Mr Edwards said trying not to sound quite relieved. He knew his wife would be delighted. With Christmas Day just the next day, he didn’t need to host the company for too long. Not that he would have expected so. They came to see the Mowbray ball, not the family.

“We were thinking Amelia could join us after the New Year perhaps?” Mrs Spencer offered trying to save the situation.

“That is a good idea indeed,” Mr Edwards agreed to get rid of one more person to feed and clothe for the matter. He trusted Amelia would be more successful in getting a suitable husband. Even he could see her potential yesterday, the way she shined, the way young men followed her every step. He knew his second daughter has a potential. Maybe, just maybe, she also had a little bit more time. But then, he had still two daughters to go. Who knew if Jane would not be back, forever left to grow old in the countryside. He didn’t want to think how much that would cost.

Amelia was radiant. London. She would go to London. She wanted to jump and run and dance and sing and do all those things that were possibly inappropriate in the situation.

She didn’t stop running around the house the whole day. Mrs Edwards was excited and would have been running around the house with her, if the situation permitted it. Her Amelia, the little crown jewel, would be a success. The one she was hoping for for so long. There was still time though and she wanted to focus on presenting her family well in the church. It was a send off of Jane to the big world, this time hopefully forever.