The dreary weather outside mirrored her mood so perfectly that Torie thought she could feel the storm clouds in her veins. Her harp sat untouched, her needlework incomplete and she hadn't even had the heart to pick up a book to distract herself. Instead she sat in the window seat watching rivulets of rain drops run down the panes of the window overlooking the back garden. She had crumpled the letter up and smoothed it back out and stared at it after reading it at least five times. Now it sat on the cushion beside her as she drew her knees up to her chest. It was all a very dramatic response to a mutual decision, but that didn't mean it sat right with Torie.

After spending the winter in the countryside, hoping this spring would bring an engagement, instead it just brought estrangement. Anthony was spending an increasing amount of time away for work and Torie was trying to be patient, to let him know that she was supportive, but she could only bend so far before she broke. Letters could only hold her for so long. She wasn't getting any younger and if they weren't going to move forward before the start of the season, she would miss out on valuable social events to help her get back on her feet.

She still sort of hated it and wasn't over feeling sorry for herself just yet.

Which is of course how Estelle found her. Torie wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with her sister's thoughts on this, but there was no escaping now. Sighing softly, Torie removed herself from the window seat, smoothed out her skirts and her hair, tucked the letter away and moved to pour herself a cup of tea. "Dreary, isn't it? I hope it doesn't last very long." Even the weather was a far more preferable topic of conversation.