“Why would you want to eat with your mouth open?” Ambrose felt the need to ask.
“Because we can, Rosie, because we can, and no man is there to rebuke us,” Cissa said.
“Did something happen between you and Tilly, Ambrose?” Violet demanded suddenly.
“What? Why would you ask me that?”
Cissa and Violet studied him closely, while Tavi went to open the door at the soft knock from Bertram.
“He looks nervous,” Violet said.
“Well, did something happen?” Cissa demanded.
“No,” he said with more force than he’d intended.
“Because during that carriage ride, I saw how you were with my friend, Rosie. Saw the look of relief when you held her. The way she clung to you and you kissed the top of her head,” Violet said. “I think you care deeply about Tilly, but I had thought to give you both time to come to your senses. That time has run out. So do you care about her or not?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” If he was wearing a collar, it would be choking him. “Tea. Wonderful,” he said, getting up, and parting the two sisters intent on interrogating him to head toward Tavi. They followed him.
“I think you’re lying,” Cissa said.
“I agree,” Violet added.
Tavi poured the tea, added sugar to his and Violet’s and then straightened to her full height to look at him. “As you all know, I’m more of a watcher than the rest of you.”
No one disputed that fact.
“And I have observed that you and Tilly do seem to have a connection, Rosie. I’ve intercepted the looks between you and wondered what lay underneath the surface.”
“There is nothing under the surface,” he denied, feeling cornered.
“Rosie, are you in love with Tilly? Because I believe youmight be, and also that your current state may be due to her,” Tavi said.
Dear Christ.
“Are they lemon biscuits?” Cissa asked, oblivious to his inner turmoil.
“It is because we love you that we wish for your happiness, Rosie. Talk to us, and let us help you,” Tavi added.
Violet and Cissa were for once silent, which was also due to the fact they were now eating, letting Tavi talk and coax information out of him.
“I asked her to marry me, and she said no, all right?” Returning to his chair, he fell into it, suddenly tired again.
“No!” Violet said, pressing a hand to her mouth. “She refused you?”
“Yes.” He sighed. “She said, and I quote, ‘I cannot marry you, Lord Talbot. I have my reasons, but I have made my wishes clear to you.’”
“What possible reason could anyone have for not marrying you?” Cissa demanded, her familial loyalty rising. “How dare she say no to Rosie.”
Violet began to pace. “There is more to this. I’ve thought since I’ve known Tilly that she was hiding something from me. Something big, but no amount of questioning would get an answer, and then there is what Alex said about Tilly telling him there was much he did not know about her—or words to that effect.”
Ambrose had forgotten that conversation, but Alex had indeed said something like that.
“What could she be hiding?” Tavi asked.
“I don’t know, but the woman is a vault when it comes to herself. She knows everything about me, and I know very little about her. She won’t discuss her childhood and always changes the subject when I bring it up.”
A tap on the door revealed Bertram’s presence once more. “A Mr. Tweed has called to speak with you, my lord.”
