Sorry for the wait everyone. Thanks for bearing with me. I've been busy. But Here is another chapter. Review if you like it.

Felicity woke up long before dawn on the morning of Assembly Day. She had too much to do and more than enough nerves to calm herself enough to sleep soundly. The sun had yet to rise, but Felicity could hear birds chirping—a sure sound that the day would come.

As she cleaned her body and attempted to tame her hair, Pippa's state of sleep weakened. By the time Felicity had managed to coil her hair into an elaborate bun, Pippa was sitting up and stretching her arms.

"Today's the day," Felicity mused with a broad grin.

"Your hair looks beautiful."

"Thank you." Felicity swiveled around to look at the sleep-smeared Pippa. "I need your help with my corset."

Pippa crawled out of a tangle of sheets as Felicity pulled her nightgown over her head. A cool breeze met the bare skin on Felicity's chest. The way her skin erupted in little bumps did not go unnoticed by Pippa. Pippa's cheeks darkened and Felicity covered herself more for Pip's sake then her own.

When she was ready, Felicity perched her arms on the wall and waited for Pippa's fingers to begin their work. "Pull harder," Felicity gasped when Pip was only tightening to the usual force.

"You want it tighter?"

"As tight as it goes." Pippa begun to pull the laces with enough force to elicit gasps from Felicity's lips. The blonde felt as if every rib in her chest was contracted inward, about to break. But, when Felicity looked in the mirror she saw a beautiful blonde girl with breasts that nearly fell out of her corset. She saw a woman—powerful and intense.

When Felicity was fully clothed, she turned to the stunning girl on her bed. "What do you think?"

"You look beautiful, Felicity," Pippa answered honestly.

"I can't wait for you to meet my father," Felicity changed the subject coyly before she would lose control and kiss her friend. "You will love him."

"I seriously doubt that."

"What do you have against the man?" Felicity snapped.

"I don't like what he did to you."

"I already told you, Pip. It was my fault."

"He has you so twisted up in your head. It was not your fault! He is a disgusting pig. You were a small child. And I would do anything to be able to go back in time and rescue you from that horrible experience."

Felicity softened her tone because Pippa seemed to be genuinely concerned. "I don't need you to rescue me, Pip. I can take care of myself."

"Everyone needs a hero sometimes."

"I don't," Felicity stated. She moved over and sat on the edge of her bed, close enough to feel the heat on Pippa's skin. "But I promise to always protect you. You will never have to experience anything even remotely close to what I went through."

"I love you, Fee," Pippa whispered. Her lips leaned in and touched Felicity's hot cheek for a fraction of a second. Before Felicity could process what had happened, Pippa was gone—behind her dressing screen. The moment had passed. Felicity could not tell Pippa how she felt now, but she knew it would happen soon.

"Do you have any scent?" Felicity called out as she began moving again.

"I'm out."

"Me too."

"Maybe Gemma has some," Pip suggested as she reemerged from her hiding spot. Felicity tied the laces of Pippa's corset silently. A knock on the door interrupted the girls. "I wonder who that could be."

"It's probably Gemma or Ann," Felicity responded as she made her way to the door. Before opening the door, Felicity glanced back to make sure Pippa was presentable enough to be seen. Seeing that Pippa's dress was almost completely on, Fee opened the door just enough to be seen.

"Miss Worthington," Brigid began. "Is Miss Cross ready. 'Er family is here with the handsome Mr. Bumble. They request her attention now."

"I will send her down in a minute. She isn't quite ready. But thank you, Brigid," Felicity said with a forced smile. She knew that Pippa was going to be very upset at this news.

"Aye. Have a good day, Miss Worthington."

Felicity closed the door quietly and wandered over to her friend. Pippa was doing her hair in front of her mirror. "Bad news, Pip," Felicity whispered into her ear. "Mr. Bumble is with your parents."

A frown overtook Pippa's soft features and she let her hair fall. Felicity ran the pads of her fingers through to soft ringlets and massaged Pippa's scalp gently. "Why would they bring him?"

"Look on the bright side, Pip. You can get rid of him for good today."

"I wish my knight was here."

"Do you want me to do your hair?" Felicity asked because she did not want to hear any more about the knight.

"That would be nice," Pippa answered. A small smile tugged on her red lips and Felicity had to fight the urge to kiss the little corners. To erase the thoughts, Felicity got to work on Pip's ringlets. By the time she had finished another moment had passed and Felicity felt normal again.

"You better head down there. They are waiting."

"Thank you, Fee. I can't wait to meet your father," Pippa said sounding at least a little honest. Before Felicity could respond, Pippa left the room with her head held high. Felicity smiled after her friend before making her way to Gemma and Ann's room.

Felicity did not knock; rather, she just pushed the door open and leaned against the frame suggestively, her breasts rubbing on the wood. "Bonjour, Mesdemoiselles. 'Tis I, the Queen of Sheba. You may save your genuflecting for later." Moving away from the frame, Felicity added, "What do you think, darlings? Am I not irresistible?"

"Beautiful," Gemma answered.

Felicity looked to Ann for an answer. Her cheeks were pink as she glanced at Felicity's cleavage. "Yes, beautiful," she echoed once Gemma had nudged her.

Felicity would not let their shock get to her. She was happy. No, Felicity was more than happy; she was overjoyed. "He's coming. I can't wait for him to see what a lady I've become." Felicity entered the room and began twirling in a giddy dance. "Of course, you must meet him. He'll adore you all, I'm sure of it. I want him to see tar I'm getting on well here. Does either of you have any scent?"

Both Gemma and Ann shook their heads. "No perfume at all?" Felicity sighed. "I can't go without smelling lovely!"

"Here," Gemma said as she pulled a rose from the vase by the window. Felicity watched as she crushed the petals in her hand. A sweet, sticky juice remained on Gemma's fingers. Felicity leaned forward slightly while Gemma dabbed it on her wrists and behind her ears.

Felicity inhaled the scent on her wrist and smiled at Gemma's smart thinking. "Perfect! Gemma, you are a genius!" Felicity threw her arms around Gemma and kissed her cheek.

"Where's Pip?" Ann asked when the hug had ended.

"Downstairs," Felicity answered, feeling a little sorry for Pippa. "Her parents came with Mr. Bumble. Can you imagine? Let's hope she sends him packing today." Growing bored of their company, Felicity added, "Well, adieu, les filles. I shall see you anon." With a bow, Felicity left Ann and Gemma alone.

Downstairs, many parents have already arrived. Felicity considered finding Pippa, but changed her mind. She was far too nervous to be polite around a man who wished to possess the girl she loved. Instead, Felicity went and sat in a chair to wait for her father. From her seat, she watched the happy reunions of many families. The youngest girls cried at the sight of their families. Felicity thought back to the previous Assembly Days. She had never had a visitor. This year would be different though. Felicity smiled knowing that her father was somewhere on his way.

After quite some time, Felicity grew too restless to sit there. She decided it best to wait outside where she could breathe fresh air. Grabbing a handkerchief, Felicity rubbed her nose and began to push through the crowd. On her way out, she ran into Gemma and Ann. They both looked devastated. "What is the matter? You look as if the world has ended?"

"Pippa is engaged to Mr. Bumble," Gemma answered.

For a second, Felicity forgot all about her father. "What? Oh, poor Pip."

"Has your father come?" Gemma asked, bringing back all the tingling nerves.

"Not yet. Forgive me, but I'm far too nervous to wait around here. I'm going to stay out in the garden till he comes. Are you certain I look presentable?"

"For the last time, yes," Gemma answered with an eye-roll. Felicity was too wound up to care. She nodded once before pushing through the last of the people and out the doors. A small stone bench was not yet taken in the garden. Felicity took a seat and tried to breathe evenly. After some time, she began to shake a little. And then it happened. All the excitement and joy vanished when Felicity spotted Mrs. Nightwing walking toward her with a letter in hand.

"Miss Worthington, there you are," Mrs. Nightwing began, but Felicity's eyes were already on the paper. "I have received a letter for you."

Felicity, knowing what it would say, pulled the letter from Nightwing's fingers. "Thank you," she whispered before opening because Nightwing was still standing over her. With a sad nod, Nightwing left Felicity's side.

My dearest daughter,

I am sorry to tell you on such short notice but duty calls me elsewhere, and duty to the Crown is of the utmost importance, as I'm sure you would agree. Have a jolly day, and perhaps we shall see each other again at Christmastime.

Fondly,

Your Father

Felicity could not decide what was more insulting, the fact that he had cancelled, or the fact that the letter was not even in his own handwriting. All she did know was that both realizations were heart-breaking. Felicity read the letter many more times as she fought against her eyes in order to keep tears from coming. It was as if her world had stopped in the midst of everyone else's. Around her their lives went on. But Felicity was still—like a painting on the wall of a museum. She now understood what it was like to be viewed but never understood completely.

Felicity's thoughts were broken up when the familiar voice of Gemma floated from above. "I don't know about you, but I've had quite enough of this absurd show." Felicity did not even glance over, but out of the corner of her eye she could see Gemma wipe away a tear. "Has your father come yet? Did I miss him?"

The words wouldn't come. Felicity just sat, staring at her fingers as she tried to keep her emotions at bay. "Fee? What's the matter?" Without moving her eyes, Felicity handed the letter to Gemma.

"It's not even his handwriting," she said when she had given Gemma more than enough time to read it. "He couldn't even be bothered to pen his own goodbye." In the distance, Felicity could hear some of the younger girls reciting poetry, but she tuned it all out. Gemma returned the note and sat in silence with Felicity.

A small drop of rain landed on the back of Felicity's neck. "It's starting to rain," Gemma stated as she stood. Her hand extended to Felicity's, but Fee did not take it. "You'll get wet," she begged. Felicity held her ground and Gemma ran off to the shelter of school.

In the rain, Felicity felt the tears begin to fall. They mixed with the cold droplets of water and washed Felicity clean. As she sat there, in the pouring rain, Felicity wept for allowing herself to be happy over something as silly as her father. She vowed to never allow her happiness to be decided on by others.

After quite some time, Brigid came out and escorted Felicity inside the building. As she lectured about illnesses and other downfalls to sitting out in the rain, Felicity felt the fight in her disappearing. She wondered if she could ever change anything—ever make right was has been done wrong.