Scarlett found Molly in Mrs. Hale's room, sitting up straight at the desk, working through her homework with quiet concentration.

The lamplight was a warm, muted gold. Molly formed each character with careful strokes, unhurried and precise. Her face was fair and delicately narrow — every bit a Hale.

Mrs. Hale sat beside her, watching with undisguised pride, her eyes soft and full of love.

Molly was bright in every sense. Top of her grade, and pretty ...