"Oh, please don't be sorry," Ida quickly insisted, brows knitting slightly. This was her least favorite part about being honest about her history, though as Miss Mountbatton continued, Ida's worry grew into empathy. "But thank you, Miss Mountbatton, for your kindness. It is so helpful to speak with someone who understands how it can be, to lose a parent." Ida looked pensively into her teacup for a moment. "It is so fortunate that you had your aunt for guidance." Not for the first time today, Ida caught herself wondering about her somewhat estranged aunt and cousin from her mother's side. Perhaps she should consider reaching out to them, however painful it might feel for them all...

At Miss Mountbatton's offer, Ida's head perked back up to the woman, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "My goodness. It would be an honor to learn from your experience! In another world, I am certain you would have made a noble General, leading her company to great victories," she winked before taking another sip of her tea, not knowing at all that her calculations of Miss Mountbatton weren't too far from the truth of her parentage.

The shared sentiment around their grief breached intimacy that Ida had not expected so soon in their conversation, but almost immediately, it left Ida feeling far more comfortable in her newfound acquaintance's company. It gave Ida just enough courage to venture cautiously into new territory. 

"How did you feel about your own debut? What did you hope for? If I am honest with you, I wouldn't know the first thing about what to look for in a suitor..." Ida refrained from tagging on how worried she became, at the thought of having to marry a stupid man. But challenging a prospect to a duel at first encounter is hardly an appropriate disposition for a lady.

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