Persephone nodded, glad she'd had the idea and the chance to offer it. And that this whole marriage thing was being wrapped up nicely into a little bow. She now had a fiance, a man who supported her dream and whose company she enjoyed, and she would be able to see Harriet again soon! For the umpteenth time in the last few minutes, Persephone felt like everything was falling into place. She didn't know quite what she felt toward Donald, although she could tell her was taken with her, but she assumed in time she would love him. Not feeling that way now was not a bad thing, she told herself as she stood there, him still holding her hand. "Miss Blythe?" Persephone turned to see her housekeeper holding a letter. "A letter from your parents," the woman explained as her gaze flicked to the ring on her employer's finger. Surely there would be gossip about the house tonight, Persephone thought wryly as her housekeeper handed her the letter and left the room again.

Slitting it open with the pocketknife on the dresser near the door to the parlor, Persephone pulled out the paper and read it quickly, not meaning to keep Donald waiting there in silence for too long. Unfortunately, it was a rather long letter, and if he helped himself to some lukewarm tea or finger sandwiches in the meantime, she understood. Once she was finished (a good five minutes later), she folded the letter up, chuckling slightly, and told Donald, "My mother is most intent on the details of my search for a husband, my father wants to know if I find Whitby nice enough to live here indefinitely- he simply wants me out of London so my 'unladylike aspirations' don't 'taint the family name further' -and my sister wants to know when she will get to see me again. She doesn't quite understand the reasons of my leaving, but I do believe she will be glad when she learns I will be seeing her soon." A small smile tugged at Persephone's lips. "I am truly glad to be able to reply positively to each of their questions in turn, and it is mostly thanks to you," she went on to Donald, "and I thank you for that."