Through the lace-covered window, she could see stars twinkling like diamonds in a black velvet sky. Although the dark sky should have lured her back to sleep, thoughts of the upcoming courting party—and all the work Mrs. Wyatt had said must be done in preparation for it—prevented her from relaxing. The older woman had looked so tired last night. Perhaps Tressa could prepare breakfast and allow her benefactor a few extra minutes of rest.She slipped from her bed and dressed in the murky gray, cringing against the groan of the bureau drawer and the creak of the floorboards. With her hairbrush in hand, she tiptoed downstairs, where she lit a lantern and brushed her long tresses into a neat tail.A plaintive meow sounded from the pantry. With a smile, Tressa opened the door, and Isabella dashed out, tail straight up and whiskers splayed in every direction. With a little cry of delight, Tressa scooped the cat into her arms. Isabella alternately purred and meowed a funny little mrrp that sounded more like the chirp of a bird, bumping her head against Tressa’s chin.
