"You know you are always welcome here," Penny promised, smiling at Gen, remembering the many times they had sneaked into each others rooms as children out of the nursery, frightened to sleep alone. Usually they had ended up together, Gen telling Penny stories until they drifted off to sleep. Sometimes, very rarely, Penny would sing to Gen softly, so softly she would have to listen carefully to hear, trying to quiet her breathing to hear that sweet, wispy voice.
So many memories, but then, that was what it was like growing up with a twin, sharing everything, the good and the bad. Penny moved behind her sister to free her of the restriction of her gown, giggling slightly at her eagerness. Penny imagined her sister was more at home in her riding habits than a ball gown any day.
"You looked beautiful tonight," she said softly as she unlaced the bodice and skirts. "Truly. It's no wonder that great oaf didn't want to lose his claim on you." The last was punctuated with another giggle at the epithet she had assigned to Spebbington, however unoriginal it was.