As they settled in, a servant entered with a tray of tea and delicate pastries. Seraphina poured the tea, and they began to chat about light topics—fashion, the latest books, and the upcoming social events.
"I'm so grateful for your kind invitation," Baroness Ariane said after a while. "The gift you gave me at the last tea party was truly exquisite. I brought something for you in return, as a token of my gratitude."
"You didn't have to, but thank you," Seraphina responded with a smile. "It's always a pleasure to exchange gifts among friends."
Baroness Ariane handed over a beautifully wrapped box. Inside was a delicate hand-embroidered shawl. "I hope you like it. I had it made especially for you."
"It's lovely, truly," Seraphina exclaimed, admiring the fine craftsmanship. "Thank you so much, Baroness."
Their conversation continued pleasantly, and Seraphina found herself enjoying the company of the Baroness.
