=====Temperance Ackroyd=====

“Another one! Another one has arrived!” The teenagers fought to be the first to grab the envelope sent by their Aunty Tempy, using a lack of decorum that was entirely unbecoming for wards who were sponsored by a Countess. After Polly’s departure from full-time residence, Constance had begun supporting orphaned young people of noble origins for the season that they made their debut in London society. She was not their mother – she knew that, and so did they – but she loved them and the warmth that they brought into her home.

To Temperance, they were family, so she regularly sent them letters and presents. This time, she had an extra special surprise for them. 

After David had claimed first-reading rights to the letter through virtue of being oldest, the squabbling quietened down enough for everyone to hear a knocking at the door. Constance shooed them away, remarking, “No guest wishes to see undignified fighting between children of the Ton. I will not have your reputations ruined before you even debut.” 

After spending a moment to gain her composure, she opened the door and immediately lost it again. 

“Oh! Temperance!” She was shocked but could completely hide her instinctive smile upon seeing her sister who had been away for months travelling.

“Surprise, Connie!” She immediately bundled her prickly older sister into a tight hug, which was reciprocated after a moment’s hesitation.

“You know you really ought to write to give me notice of your visits.” Constance felt obliged to make this point, although she was secretly delighted every time Temperance showed up on her doorstep, bringing her unparalleled energy and humour to the house.

“Ah, but then I would not get to see your reaction! Where are the kids?”

“In the drawing room, I believe. And they are not ‘kids’, they are //debutantes//.” She sighed. “I will have the servants take your bags to your room.” 

Temperance gave her a brief quizzical look, unaware that she had her own room in her sister’s house. Annoyed at having to voice her emotions aloud, Constance added, “I always keep one prepared for you in case you visit. I am simply ensuring that I am able to be a good host, when your movements are so unpredictable!”

Temperance pulled her into a hug again, “I missed you, Connie.”

Constance’s eventual reply was quiet, “I missed you too, Tempy.”

They stayed in the embrace for some time, before Temperance withdrew, saying, “I have a special present for you all. I shall need a moment to fetch it.”

Constance was instantly stony-faced again. “No more ‘special presents’, Temperance. I told you last time! I have been subjected to a monkey, all manner of insects, confectionery that makes the children far too excitable, plants that move… I will have no more of it.”

Unfortunately for Constance, and as much as she tried to pretend otherwise, she had always been a bit of a pushover. The debutantes fell in love with their newest family member, Percy the parrot, instantly. The reunion was joyous, and they were delighted to have had a chance to meet their infamous Aunty Tempy in-person, just as every child who came through the doors of Constance’s house before and after them did.