The next day, after feeding and changing the five babies, Jasmine departed for the orphanage with Molly close behind. As they walked through the streets, it was clear that the city was getting ready for the arrival of the new duke. People were cleaning vigorously and setting up some decorations. Molly was fascinated and excited, telling Jasmine that she had never seen a celebration like this before. Jasmine of course had seen many during her time as Prince Jasper, but she merely smiled and nodded along.
At the orphanage, Jasmine and Molly were welcomed in and led to the room the gowns were being stored in. Molly and a couple other orphan girls helped Jasmine sort through the dresses, setting aside those that would be suitable for a lady and could also be easily adjusted to fit Jasmine's short yet shapely figure. The girls gossiped as they worked, though Jasmine stayed silent, listening to them rather than joining in. She did have to speak a few times, when Molly revealed her betrothal to Sir Richard. The girls were fascinated and asked many questions.
Finally, Molly and Jasmine departed with six gowns of varying colors. Molly told Jasmine that the colors would look very becoming on her, but Jasmine cared not about that. She only wished to do what she had to get to Anya and return to normal.
When they arrived back at the Muscat residence, Jasmine fed and changed the babies again, then tried on the gowns so Molly could make her notes on how to adjust them. Every single dress needed the bust taken out, a few also needed more room for her shapely rear, and one would have to be hemmed for her short height. By the end, Jasmine wanted to cry just as the twins, hungry again, were. It was mind numbingly dull and took far longer than she had the patience for.
Jasmine dismissed Molly to begin the alterations, then sat in the rocking chair to nurse Flossy and Dossy. As the babes suckled hungrily, Jasmine reminded herself that everything she was doing took her closer to Wind's Grove. The worry came back, though. The worry that Richard planned on marrying her before they arrived at Featherstone.