Some amendments to the proposed travel were thought to be necessary. A friend of William, Mr Carter, was to accompany him. Rather than being in town for 5 weeks, it was agreed (after a long debate) that 8 weeks will not do much harm. After all, the London season was beginning in January and leaving it too soon would deprive the young men of their share of amusement. 

Having Charles Carter as part of the party was considered an advantage as his father owns a house in town. It has been a custom for the Carters to go to London during the winter. Unfortunately, though, the father is suffering from a mild gout and was advised that Bath shall do perfectly well at the moment to make him feel better. Thus, the family has gone to Bath these past three weeks, with Charles left behind to accompany William into town. 

As the anticipated day of departure dawned upon Brougham Park, an air of melancholy descended upon the estate. The once vibrant surroundings now exuded a sense of desolation, as if bidding farewell to a cherished presence. Mrs. Dawson, caught in the grip of emotions, found herself unable to suppress a heavy sigh that escaped her lips, mingling with tears that welled in her eyes. Her beloved son, the very essence of her maternal devotion, was about to embark on a journey that would keep him away for the better part of two months.

“8 weeks! 8 whole weeks!” cried Mrs. Dawson. “Is it truly necessary for you to go? What will I do when you are gone? Oh dear me… I cannot believe that you are so heartless as to abandon me for a whole 8 weeks. Did you not consider how I would feel? Did you not consider how your sisters would feel about you leaving them behind while you enjoy yourself heartily in London?”

“But Mama, we have spoken about this several times,” said William in protest. “I really hope that we could all go together but Papa would not consent. You know him well enough to understand his feelings.”

This was not the first time that Mrs. Dawson has spoken this way. It is acknowledged that she loves her son dearly and is quite unable to bear even a temporary separation. She kept trying several methods and arguments to stop him from leaving but in vain. 

“Mama”, he continued, “ I will not be gone for a long time. It is simply for amusement and you know how dearly I wish to have gone to London. Had father not despised Town, we could have all gone there for the winter.”

“I know that very well. Oh, why should your father hate town? I should be very much forlorn without you. Oh dear,” his dear mother continued in that manner. She resorted to silence, hoping that at least her visible disapproval might put off the expedition altogether. 

William, who knew that nothing would persuade Mrs. Dawson, moved to the writing table and tried as much as he could to settle all his letters of business while he awaited his friend’s arrival. Samantha and Kitty too had tried to pacify Mrs. Dawson but to no avail. So, Kitty decided to continue her embroidery while Samantha sat by her brother.

“Have you packed everything for your journey? You did not forget anything did you?” inquired the sister.

“I'm quite sure that I have everything I need. How are you feeling right now?” the loving brother asked as he gazed into her face.

“I… um, I... I will be fine,” was all she could answer. She tried to suppress her feelings but William knows her too well. “You have to be honest with me. I know that you are trying to hide your feelings.”

Samantha was silent for a while before she began to express her feelings. “You know me too well. I couldn’t bear you leaving us all. I am not sure how I would cope in your absence. And the responsibilities you gave me, I’m not quite sure if I could handle them all.”

“I’m sure you will do just fine. I did not give you anything too difficult. All you have to do is to visit our tenants and see if they need any help and collect their rent.”

“If you think so. I really wish that you would not need to go. But I do know how excited you are to go to London. I shall not stop you. Your happiness matters the most. Tell me the truth brother. You are going to London so that you can catch sight of the pretty girls there, aren't you?” Samantha gave a sly smile. They both burst into laughter which irritated Mrs. Dawson. They quickly suppressed their laughter and giggled among themselves.

“Oh, William. I really wish I would be able to go to London with you. But that is all too late, is it not? Then, I too would be able to enjoy the pleasures that London could offer. I would be able to get a short break from the country and be able to see something new,” sighed Samantha.

“I, too, would be most glad if you could accompany us. But you are right. It is a little too late to alter the plans. I will get accustomed to London by the time I come back and perhaps I can persuade Papa to allow us all to go to London for the next season. What do you say? And perhaps we could find you someone who would love you better than I do,” William spoke excitedly.

Samantha smiled in reply.

An hour later, the gentlemen had left Brougham Park. Samantha had seen them both, at the door, driving out in Mr Carter’s travelling chariot. The January afternoon air, though quite chilly, was pleasant enough that Samantha could stand outside for a few minutes. 

Though it has been a few years since William has become of age, he has never travelled beyond Kent. This would be his very first trip out of the county. William has heard a great deal about London from the Carters as they travel there annually and thus was naturally excited when the prospect of travelling there had come upon him.

From the perspective of his family, William has been quite the backbone of his family. He has assisted his father in every matter of importance. Everyone in Brougham Park depended on him. There is almost nothing that would be decided without gaining a suggestion from William. 

Now we could somewhat understand the eagerness of the young man and the downcast of the family. Such were the thoughts that passed in Samantha’s head as her eyes followed the movement of the chariot until it turned around the bend and could be seen no more. 

She stood there for a few more minutes in silence, trying to fathom what the house would be like in her beloved brother’s absence. She then slowly turned towards the house and directed her feet toward the drawing room. She had left Mrs. Dawson and Catherine there earlier. But when she turned the knob and opened the door, she could only find her dear mother alone, staring into the fire. Not a movement was seen and not a sound was heard. Only the fire had filled the room with its crackling noise. Samantha quietly left the room. As she left the room, she could hear a knock on the door. It didn't take long for her to figure out that her aunt, Mrs.Bell, had come to visit Mrs. Dawson, to accompany her in her solitude. Samantha quickly left that part of the house lest Mrs. Bell should have seen her. 

She wondered about Kitty’s whereabouts as the house was too quiet. It is possible that she has retreated to her bedchamber. Or possibly she has sought the solitude of the music room. Her father was not to be seen since breakfast. He too, couldn't bear the separation and has stayed in his study to avoid seeing his son leave. Samantha walked towards the study. The room was quiet. She gently knocked on the door and slowly turned the knob. Her eyes searched the room for a figure she knew and respected. That figure was finally spotted standing by the window which was facing the driveway that had brought his dear son away. He was so deep in his thoughts that he did not even hear the knock on his door and the squeak of the doorknob. Samantha, who looked upon her dispirited father and decided to leave him to his solitary thoughts, shut the door and walked away.

As Samantha paced towards the stairway which leads to the upper floor, she could hear a piece of faint melancholy music being played on the pianoforte. It seems that Catherine too has been affected by William’s removal. The music seemed to disturb Samantha’s heart. Some weird feelings arose in her soft heart that she could not bear to stand there any longer. She gripped the handrail and pulled herself up the stairs. 

As she was climbing the steps, she heard some footsteps following her. She stopped, turned around, and beheld the square wrinkled face of Mrs. Norris, the housekeeper. But wait, there was a hint of worry in her eyes. Samantha knew from the look of the housekeeper that something was amiss. She did not have to ask because Mrs. Norris had already begun to relate the matter that troubled her.

Mrs. Dawson, in all her gloominess, had not given directions for the day’s dinner. That was usually done right after breakfast as they were to dine at 5. But with William’s departure, all that was forgotten. Samantha was quick enough to calm the housekeeper, giving her directions for the pork and potatoes. Mrs. Norris made a quick curtsy and hurried down the stairs to the kitchen. 

With a deep sigh, she continued the difficult climb. It felt as if she was trekking a steep mountain. Her legs seemed to not have any more strength in them. The climb was taking forever with its peak yet to be seen. After a long battle, she reached the upper floor and slipped into her bedchamber. Alas! Unable to control herself anymore, she collapsed onto her bed. The soft mattress protected her back from any injury. There had been a huge lump in her throat. She had tried to suppress it all along. Slowly, a flood of tears ran down her smooth pink cheeks. She shut her eyes as her lips quivered.