Hayley leaned over to kiss her father lightly on the cheek. "I love you, and I am looking forward to spending more time with you too."
_ _
Packing her clothes, Hayley rushed about her room while Maddie dusted the furniture.
"Will we be leaving soon?" Hayley laid her last garment in the case.
"Not until your father has secured matters here."
"It will not be too soon for me."
"I'm glad to see your excitement."
"It will be a wonderful time for us. Thank you for asking Father to take me to Kingston."
"I thank you that I too will have a vacation." She winked at Hayley. You must not forget your studies and please understand your time shall not be free for you to squander."
"I shall enjoy every moment that I am away--studies or no studies."
"Perhaps you shall find a friend while we are in Kingston."
"That would be torturous!. It would be dreadful to meet a kindred spirit, only to suffer separation upon our departure."
"Why must you accentuate the negative, in something as wonderful as friendship?"
"Perhaps I will find good reason to stay in Kingston."
Maddie fluffed a pillow. "Why would you have such a thought?"
"It should not seem strange that I would desire to make my home there."
"I simply do not understand what would provoke you, sight unseen, to the thought of living in Kingston. Your father has no plans of supporting such a decision."
"He has begun to let go of me. He knows I am a young lady now, no longer a child."
"A young lady who still needs to mature in many ways."
Maddie padded Hayley's back as she walked around her to the other side of the bed. She opened the case of clothes that Hayley had placed on the bed. "You do not even know which day we will depart, and you have already packed a large portion of your things."
"I am excited about leaving, but I suppose I did pack more than I need." They both laughed.
There was a sudden knock at the bedroom door, which caused both women to jump. Maddie walked to the door and opened it.
"Miss Hawthorn, there is a visitor downstairs to see you."
"Thank you, Samuel." Maddie quickly followed the butler, as Hayley began repacking her clothes.
_ _
As Maddie descended the staircase, she saw the back of a woman's head, which she knew quite well. She entertained the thought of returning to her upstairs bedroom and claiming to be ill, but the woman rose from the chair and turned to face Maddie, as she reached the bottom step.