Rosalind nodded just as the maid arrived with their tea. Their silence returned, heavier this time. The only sound to be heard was the teacups and teapot rattling on the tray as it was placed on the tabletop. Alexander took a deep breath in and smelt the aroma of the strong tea leaves as it was poured into each cup. The maid curtsied before taking her leave again.
As soon as the door shut, Miss Dowell continued. “Do you?—”
“Miss Dowell,” Alexander cut her off sharply.
To his surprise, she ignored him.
“Do you find yourself avoiding big social gatherings because they cause physical discomfort?” She studied Rosalind in a way that made Alexander’s jaw tick.
Rosalind frowned. “I…do.”
“And if you do attend, do you feel an uncomfortable tightness in the chest? Shaking? Nausea?”
She is relentless and this was a mistake.
Rosalind’s breath hitched and Alexander decided to end the interrogation. He got up, placing himself subtly between them. “Miss Dowell.”
She blinked up at him, clearly startled by the tone of his voice.
He forced a smile for Rosalind’s sake. “We have whiled away the afternoon and my sister needs rest.”
Miss Dowell did not move. “The tea has just arrived.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened. “The tea was for you, as ourguest. Or did you forget your place?”
He could see Rosalind shrinking into herself. Her shoulders curled inward. Her breath grew shallower by the minute. She looked like she wanted to disappear and that was the last thing he wanted.
He hated that look.
He had seen it too many times.
Alexander remained standing, watching his sister with growing unease. Her fingers trembled as she picked up her cup of tea and sipped it.
He should not have invited Miss Dowell to come here.
Not today. Not like this.
Miss Dowell, suddenly aware of Rosalind’s rising distress, said gently, “Lady Rosalind, I do apologize if I made you feel?—”
Alexander cleared his throat, louder this time.
“It is late,” he stated.
Miss Dowell looked up at him, confusion knitting her brows. “But?—”
“Late,” he said more firmly. “Rosie, have your tea and then feel free to take your leave. I will see that supper is sent to your room later. All right?”
“I—” Rosalind placed her teacup down shakily and rose at once, her movements stiff and hurried. “I will retire now. Thank you.”
She smiled shyly at Miss Dowell and Alexander. He wanted to hug her, to assure her that everything was going to be all right, but he could not bring himself to do it. She murmured something that might have been “good day,” though it was barely audible, and slipped out of the room like a shadow fleeing the light.
The door closed softly behind her and a heavy tension settled between him and Miss Dowell who remained seated. She looked at him completely puzzled. “I was only trying to understand her.”
Alexander exhaled, long and slow, fighting the urge to run after his sister. “Theodora.”
She looked up at him. He assumed she would be startled to hear him use her Christian name, but she did not seem alarmed. Instead, her dark green eyes pierced right through him and he turned away, unable to control his urge to kiss her again even while he was upset with her. “Come with me.”
“Where?” she asked curiously.
