Isabella couldn’t help but smile as she folded the graded exam papers and then stuffed them into the envelope alongside her latest letter to Violet. She wished so bad that she could be there when she opened them, to see her face when she realized that Isabella achieved nearly perfect scores on her tests. Stupid math. It was always math. Surely, her future husband would use the same accountants her father did, right? Or his father? Then again, some wives were given the responsibility of maintaining at least the household accounts. A fate that would no doubt make her life even more intolerable.

Now that the exams were done, there were only a few days left until all the girls departed. Naturally, those days were filled with tea and happy conversations. By the end of the week, Isabella had sent off her letter and met with Ashley and her other friends every day. When Friday came, and it was time to say goodbye, there were plenty of tearful hugs and promises to keep in touch, especially with those Isabella had grown close to. Some of the women even arranged for future vacations or parties that others could attend. However, Isabella was always careful to give noncommittal answers. She certainly wished to see them all again, it was simply a matter of whether or not her sickness would allow such a thing. Not to mention her father or her…future husband.

When it was her turn to climb into a carriage that would take her to the train station, Isabella couldn’t help but stand tall on the step and take one last look around the school grounds. She tried her best to commit every detail to memory but knew it would begin to fade with time. Most of them, anyway. It was funny that she had once considered this place a prison and now she knew she would miss it. Not necessarily the classes or all the people, but so many important things had happened while in attendance. Well, one very important thing had happened, she met Violet.

Done with her reverie, she finally dipped her head inside and took a seat before the wheels lurched forward and the horses began to pull her, and her luggage, down the hill. The whole trip she couldn’t help but imagine Violet walking next to the carriage, making the long journey to the town all those months ago. What did she look like as she’d done it? Was she sad? Did a tear leave a trail on her cheek? Or was it that same stoic look?

After finally arriving, Isabella noted she still had some time to kill before the train arrived. So, she turned to the manservant sent along to load her things and announced she would be leaving to find a coffee. When he offered to get it for her, she politely refused with a strong implication that he should not accompany her. Accepting his fate, he allowed her to leave the station on her mission. Alone. It didn’t take her long to find a place, a small cafe not even a block away. It even gave her a wonderful view of everything in the town, and beyond. 

After heading inside, and ordering her drink, Isabella returned to a seat that let her overlook the river and crane her neck up to see the school. It felt odd to look at it from the outside now, sipping her coffee like a proper lady. All grown up. As if. Even in the beautiful pale-yellow dress she’d been given to wear, she still very much felt like a stranger in this world. So, she sat there and replayed her time as a student in her head, going through her interactions with Violet for what was probably the millionth time. It was bittersweet since they brought her such joy even as she knew those were probably the only ones the two women would get to make. She promised herself she wouldn’t cry today but she was coming dangerously close to breaking it.

Before long, Isabella finished her coffee and then resigned herself to return to the station as the train pulled in. Once her luggage was aboard, and she was resting in a luxurious seat towards the front, she began to let her mind wander towards the future, instead of the past. What was it going to be like, now? She had only stayed at her father’s estate for a few weeks before being shipped off to the school. Most of the time she stayed cooped up in her room, only offering the necessary number of words to the staff as they brought her food and other necessities. She’d hated it, hated being there, and hated what it meant for her going forward.

Though she doubted those feelings would change much, perhaps time would have dulled the fire that had kept her anger burning hot. Naturally, thoughts of her future led her to one of her greatest fears, her impending marriage to some rich asshole her father would choose. Even if the women of high society hadn’t been as bad as she thought, at least some of them, Isabella had no such hope for the men. Especially if her father was any indication, especially if he would be choosing. And even if the man turned out to be someone tolerable, or even kind, Isabella still wouldn’t want to marry him. Or any of them. She loved one person, and one person only.

Eventually, her nose wrinkled at the thoughts and Isabella did her best to put them aside. True to her promise, or threat depending on how you took it, she chose to distract herself by retrieving some paper and a pen from the handbag she’d kept with her for the trip. First would be Ashley’s letter since it would be rather straightforward. The second would be to Violet though and she fully intended to let that distract her the rest of the way. She wondered then, what had the Doll done on her trip home? Had she practiced on her typewriter? Maybe, but the train did jostle every once in a while. Knowing Violet, she probably read. Or did she do what Isabella was doing at this very moment? Think of the person she missed the most?

—

Isabella’s trip was considerably shorter than Violet’s, needing only one day and one night to reach her destination. Just like before, there was a carriage waiting to take her home. The whole ride to the estate she fretted over seeing her father again and learning of her fate. Surely something complicated like a marriage took a long time to negotiate, right? She probably had time to settle in before having to worry about such a thing. Time to steel herself against what was to come.

As her ride passed through the front gate of the estate, Isabella stuck her head out of the carriage’s window to look around. It felt like the trip down the driveway took almost as long as the trip here from the station and she let out a sigh once the main house came into view. It was two stories and who knew how many rooms of opulence and excess. And no matter how many nice things were shoved inside, it would never feel like a home. How could it? It didn’t have Taylor or Violet. Isabella would gladly trade every tacky sculpture or luxurious piece of furniture just to be with them now.

But that wouldn’t come to pass because Isabella was stuck with her father and his staff. Such as Heidi, the head handmaiden, who stood waiting for her with numerous servants ready to unpack her belongings. It didn’t look like she’d changed at all in the time Isabella was gone. She still wore the same black dress and white apron combo that was typical of her job. Still wore her dark brown hair in a tight ponytail and probably still had the same number of wrinkles beginning to show around her eyes. Unless Isabella’s father had given her more. Of course, he wasn’t there. No doubt he was delayed somewhere for something oh-so-important.

After the driver opened the door, Isabella stepped out and placed her hands over her dress. A small, if not a little uneasy, smile kicked up on her lips. When the handmaiden stepped up, Isabella greeted her with a small wave before her smile grew.

“Hello, Heidi. It’s been a while; I hope you’ve been well.”

The older woman looked a little taken aback at the greeting and Isabella couldn’t blame her. She hadn’t exactly been nice to the poor handmaiden when she first arrived. However, Heidi quickly composed herself and offered a curtsy in greeting. Not as perfect as Violet’s, but practiced nonetheless.

“Good afternoon, mistress. I trust your travel was pleasant.”

“Yes, it was. Has my father not returned?” Just to confirm once more, Isabella leaned to the side and searched the faces near and far.

“No, mistress. He should be back tomorrow but I was told to pass along his apologies.”

Isabella hummed and she felt a wave of relief wash through her. That would at least make settling in a little easier. “That’s alright, I’m sure he’s very busy.”

Heidi nodded her agreement and then turned and clapped her hands, prompting the others to begin grabbing things from the carriage. “We’ll get you unpacked quickly. Would you like some tea brought to your room while you wait?”

Isabella watched the men and women begin to move and then returned her eyes to Heidi, nodding once she had done so. “Yes, please. I would like that.”

Again, the handmaiden seemed to pause but ultimately turned and extended a hand towards the house. “Very well. Right this way then.”

Isabella moved to follow, taking the first steps down a new path. A path that she dreaded to her very core.

Dear Violet,

I hope you enjoy the surprise I included with this letter! I figured you wouldn’t believe me if I said I got almost perfect marks so I sent proof. Well, you probably would but I guess I just wanted to brag a little. I know I’ve told you so many times before but thank you. I’m only here because of you and I can only go forward because of you.

Speaking of moving forward, I guess this is the last letter you’ll receive from my address at the school. Which means your response will be the last letter you send here. Isn’t that crazy? I felt like you just left yesterday, and just got here the day before. Only a blink in a long life. So why then, did you leave such a mark? Of course, I know the answer. It’s because you’re so special to me. 

I have to ride home on my own since my father won’t come and retrieve me. So many other girls will have their families here but not Isabella York. Honestly, I’m glad. I really don’t want to be stuck with him while he goes on and on about his vast fortune and its future. So frustrating. Anyway, I will be writing on the trip so you can look for a letter shortly after I arrive. After that, at least I have a book to entertain me as well.

I miss you

Yours,

Isabella

Dear Isabella, 

I was shocked to feel all the extra papers in your envelope. I had no idea what it was but I’m glad for the surprise. Well done on your exams but the outcome was never in question, I had no doubt you’d pass easily and you even got a good score in math. I’m so proud of you but you give me too much credit. That was you, Isabella. I only helped bring out what was inside.

I can’t believe this will be the last time I write the school’s address on the envelope. I can still picture it whenever I write you but now, I won’t be able to picture anything when you return home. I don’t know anything about your house or even what you’ll look like as you settle into your new life. If I’m being honest, I’m a little nervous about not having your next address. Though, I’m sure I could find it if I had to. I’ll always keep my promise to write you because you left a mark on me too, one I won’t forget. 

I am sorry you won’t have anyone there to help you home and wish that I could so I knew that you made it alright. Or even just travel together because I know it would be fun. Be safe and please do take care and write me when you can.

I miss you.

Yours,

Violet