— Do you need help with your hair? — Asks Agatha behind her. She starts to pin the hair up to the back braids. This creates the illusion of a little bag made of hair with a belt of braids and flowers.
— Thank you, sister — Pearl says, still looking at herself in the mirror.
— You should refresh yourself — Says Agatha. She goes to the bathroom and comes back with a vessel full of water and a little towel - You seem distracted.
— I haven't slept well — She says in a low murmur, looking at her sister through the mirror while she gently wipes her neck with a wet towel.
— I assume mother told you about her plans of finding you a good match — Agatha says, wringing the towel over the vessel.
— Aren't you supposed to marry first? - Pearl asks and turns her torso at her — Lord Marshal still sends you letters every week. At least, that'd dilate a possible engagement for me.
— He's too old and a widower. I couldn't bring such torment to father in his fragile state — Agatha says walking towards the bathroom to leave the vessel of water over the marble counter.
Pearl comes to her and leans in the door frame with a pouty face - I don't think we'll get along.
— You cannot have that judgment as yet — Agatha says, embracing her with one arm. Both walk in the direction to the living room — You don't know his passions, his beliefs, what makes him laugh. You'll have all summer to figure that out and see if he meets you halfway.
— Be my fate to the gods — Pearl sighs with a sense of hopelessness.
— If you love him, you'll see your future reflected in his eyes — Agatha comments before joining the living room.
At that time, they see the rest of the family in the gardens. Melanie and Lewis play chess, Martin plays "tag" with the twins while Jasmine lays on a blanket covering herself from the sun with an umbrella.
Agatha smiles the moment she sees Martin complaining about how fast the kids are to get him, with a red face from the heat and exercise. Pearl walks by the table, giving a small wave and continues until she gets to Jasmine — The air is fresher near the trees — She says, extending a hand to help her stand up. The woman glances at her husband and cousin having fun, before accepting.
— I was expecting to see uncle Paul at lunch — Jasmine comments.
— We were afraid the Father would take him during the long winter, but as the weather got warmer, we saw her grace beside him. — Pearl answers.
— May the Mother be his guide and shield — Jasmine prays.
— Her will be done - Pearl responds. She carries part of her skirt and continues to walk carefully to avoid sliding due to the abundant undergrowth and mud — Remember when we would swim in the pool and hide near the rocks until Agatha cried because she couldn't find us?
— That's because she would get lost — Says Jasmine, trying to keep up with the pace.
— After the engagement party, she grew fond of this place. The rain could not drown the sound of her broken heart — Pearl comments, lamenting the memory with a curious smile. She stops at the bushes before the lagoon and turns to her cousin — And yet, she encourages me to pursue a possible marriage away from her.
— It was my sorrow to lack both her comfort and the warmth of my family on a day so sacred — Jasmine says and takes her hands — You will not marry a stranger if given the grace to learn his nature first.
Pearl nods her head in agreement and continues to the border of the small pool. The women take their clothes off and swim in the small pool under the sun's eye. The day is bright, but the abundance of leaves on the branches of the trees give enough shadow to the forest, for them to not see beyond the extent of the light that reflects in the water, in contrast to their current position.
— Are you actually happy with him? — Pearl Asks.
— He's really affectionate and funny. I could laugh all day with him — Jasmine says — Sometimes, I'd find myself lonely for a great part of the year during his trips.
— That 's terrible.
— Yeah, but we spoke about it and now I follow him on his journeys. Our most recent visit was on Aester. As you may recall, the ever changing museum.
— You should paint during your trips. I can't help but wonder the amazing experiences you have abroad — Pearl comments.
— You can experience them yourself once you marry Mr. Byrne — Jasmine says splashing her with some water — He travels a lot too.
— That's not promised. — Pearl says.
Her smile fades swiftly after landing her gaze upon Agatha.
— What are you two doing here? Come on, now! It's time for dessert.
The women go back to the mansion to change their clothing before joining the rest of the family in the library. This time, Pearl wears a high neckline adorned in white pearls sewn onto horizontal pleats, with layered capelet-style bodice that covers her shoulders and upper arms with soft ruffles. The bodice is fitted at the waist flowing into multiple tiered layers of scalloped ruffles that cascade down the skirt.
— How was your little adventure? — Martin asks. He extends a hand to receive his wife's, inviting her to sit beside him.
— We went to the lake inside the forest to refresh ourselves. We used to imagine we were mermaids that turned into fishes at night, so much nostalgia! — Jasmine laughs — Oh, I shouldn't have said that! — She says covering her mouth after seeing Melanie's facial expression.
Pearl remains in silence while the rest have a little laugh. Melanie makes a gesture to her daughter for her to go with Mrs Lewis. She walks slowly towards him, preparing a topic to talk about in her head.
— It's a wonderful afternoon, isn't it? — Says, with a candid tone to Lewis' ears.
— Definitely — He answers with a gentle smile.
— Do you also travel a lot like your brother? — She asks — Is it something common for you to join him?
— We just recently got in contact. I've been living in Catise for three years. A relative recently died and the family business there was about to be taken by the government.
— I'm sorry for your loss.
— Thank you — He says. The silence prolongs until Lewis comments — I didn't come here to make you feel uncomfortable. I was surprised to hear the subtle remarks of your sister.
—I wouldn't be surprised to know that Jasmine orchestrated this with my mother —She responds — But you don't have to pretend not to know. If we're to get married, I only ask for honesty.
— I suppose we've both been deceived — Lewis says — I was expecting to fall in love with the festival, but I was caught so swiftly by your gaze at first sight.
Pearl immediately lowers her face to cover the smile — Well said — She murmurs.
<><><>
The striking solar beam poses over Melanie's face when she opens the curtain of the carriage — Magnificent Father! — She exclaims with a grimace far from delightment.
— We shall not say God's name in vain — Agatha comments, trying not to laugh.
— I forgot the summer brightness starts at this time of the day — Melanie responds.
— That's because we're far from the mountains, mother. We're getting closer to the city — Agatha says and looks over to her sister, who wanders in her mind, pointlessly gazing at what's in front of her. Agatha continues — I hope we'll get to buy some beautiful patterns for the winter festival at the end of the…
— I can't believe you yearn for the cruel snow — Melanie says.
— I was just saying that the time is appropriate since Pearl should wear the best garments, those that can be fixed and altered to her figure for the summer weather. — Agatha responds — We barely have any funds left. We can't have her repeating and wearing until threads those ancient grandma's dresses if we want her engaged.
— Let that be a problem for the husband — Pearl comments and directs her sight to her mother.
— There is no time in this life and place in the world where I'll have my daughter present herself as someone less than a noble — Melanie argues.
—Expecting Mrs. Lewis to pay for our expenses is out of line considering your resistance — Agatha comments.
— Why is coin something to worry about? The ships sailed to Pardal last week — Pearl says.
— Our last ships — Agatha utters.
— We can go through the events of the year. Afterwards, we'll confine ourselves to avoid the spectacle regarding our financial situation — Melanie says — We can make a potager of the back gardens, serve ourselves the courses, even. I'll sew and design the patterns of your dresses myself.
— I don't wish to fall into servitude and debt for the sake of appearances, mother — Pearl answers — Let Mrs Lewis pay his stay. That doesn't make us less of a noble family as you may think. I'd never accept a stinky man in my life.
— That's correct — Agatha says with a surprised smile — A selfish man is the peak to an abyss.