Digweed drove us to London. The journey was no more comfortable than before, but this time I felt excited rather than nervous and apprehensive. The country may have wrought some changes in me, but I was still a girl who loved new clothes and baubles. I couldn't wait to go to my favourite ribbon shop and stock up. I was always losing my ribbons for some reason. We were to reside for the week in lodgings near the Palace of Westminster and I longed to feel the cobbles beneath my feet once more.

We arrived at the same time as a summer downpour and all at once I became aware of an unpleasant, putrid smell in the air. I had never noticed this before, but now I had become accustomed to the clean, county air and the smell of flowers and I was nauseated by the difference. I hurried into the lodgings, which at least were comfortable and clean, and suddenly felt very homesick for Moonacre.

We ate the dinner that our landlady had prepared and both retired soon afterwards. Travel was so very tiring that it was difficult to do much after a day in the carriage. We both had baths to help ease our aching limbs and then we went to bed soon after. We had an early appointment with the modiste and neither of us wanted to be late.

The weather was much better the following morning, blue sky and the sun peeping out from behind fluffy white clouds. It was great fun to spend time with Loveday in London. We had spent very little time as just the two of us since her reconciliation with my uncle and I enjoyed her company. She seemed happy to spend money on me, and although I felt a small pang of guilt, I did not take much persuasion to accept the countless presents she bought me.

I found a midnight blue cravat which I begged Loveday to allow me to buy for Robin. It matched my dress for the wedding and I thought how well it would suit him. She smiled at my enthusiasm to buy a present for her brother and agreed that I should.

On our third day in London, I asked Loveday if it was possible for us to call on my friend, Lucy, while we were in town. I had only managed a very brief goodbye when we had left London and I longed to share all that had happened with her. Loveday was happy to oblige me and we agreed that I would see Lucy that morning, while Loveday returned to the dressmakers.

"Maria!" Lucy greeted me with enthusiasm when I arrived at her house. She led me in to the salon where there was already a gentleman seated, reading a paper.

"You remember my brother, Adam, don't you?" and without waiting for an answer, she called to Adam, "Look, it's Maria." I could barely remember Lucy's brother, and I had obviously had similarly made little impression on him, judging by the bored manner in which he put down his paper. However, he rose in greeting and as he looked at me, his face broke into a smile,

"Maria, how lovely to see you again." His voice was deep and cultured. He bent over my hand and kissed it gently. Lucy laughed her silvery tinkling laugh and grabbed my other hand,

"Come and sit down, Maria. I want to hear all about Moonacre." I happily chatted about the house and the beautiful countryside. She wrinkled her nose when I told her how much I loved the woods and I laughed when I remembered my fear of the countryside before I had lived there. She told me that she had been to the theatre a couple of times since my departure and had been to a musical soiree at St James' Palace. I felt a small pang of jealousy, much as I loved Moonacre, there was no society and I felt that I was missing something. I never got the chance to dress up in my fine clothes and show off like Lucy.

The morning passed quickly and it was soon time for me to return to Loveday. Lucy suggested that we should meet up again before we left London and I readily agreed; I had really enjoyed catching up with my friend. It was agreed that we would all have dinner together the following day.

I was surprised, therefore, when not only Lucy, but also her brother, appeared at our lodgings the next morning and begged me to ride with them in the park. Adam seemed particularly eager for me to join them and I was flattered by his attention. Loveday agreed that it would be a good idea for me to spend some time in the fresh air and she was pleased that I was enjoying myself.

We rode around the park in Adam's landau, and then he stopped to buy us refreshments as we walked near the Serpentine. The sun shone and birds sang, Moonacre seemed a million miles away. We spent the entire day together and then Loveday joined us for dinner at our lodging. The evening passed quickly as Loveday entertained us with stories about her animal friends. I am not sure how much Lucy and Adam believed her, but they laughed a little immoderately when she recalled my first meeting with the snake.

All too quickly our stay in London was at an end. I was really excited to be returning to Moonacre again; I had missed Robin and I couldn't wait to tell him about everything I had done and seen in London. I was sorry to be leaving my friends again so quickly, but Loveday suprised me by inviting both Lucy and her brother to Moonacre. I was delighted by the invitation as I had enjoyed spending time with my friend and, I have to admit, I enjoyed Adam's obvious admiration. They promised that they would be in a position to make the journey soon and we parted with eager promises of regular correspondence.

I slept for much of the journey home and only woke when we drew up to the gates on the edge of the Moonacre property. This time, there was no attack as Digweed left the carriage to open the gate although I looked out eagerly for Robin.

I went to bed almost straight after dinner on my first night home. Uncle and Loveday were not really very good company for anyone other than themselves and I was too tired to listen to Miss Heliotrope. I answered as few of her questions that I could without appearing rude and then excused myself as soon as possible. Digweed had drawn a bath for me, it was scented with lavender and the fragrance and heat made me sleepy. I had little difficulty falling asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.