It's like catching a whirlwind of a daughter, and briefly, Claire thinks of Marsali as she hugs Hilda. If not for this breathless young woman, Claire might ache a bit more at the loss of both her daughter and daughter-in-law.

"No, I wasn't waiting long, and I'd only start to worry if you weren't here within a half hour. I'm used to living in a place where one stubborn horse can be the difference between punctuality and being so late we've all gotten to dessert by the time someone arrives." That is to say, Hilda's excused, and Claire can't help but match her smile. That promise is a hundred percent a young person's pledge, and she doesn't take it to heart.

"I did take the liberty of ordering for you, I only hope I know you as well as I think I do."