Delaney nodded her head gently. She kept her gloved hands perfectly still by her sides, gripping the fabric of her skirt very lightly to avoid any nervous, twitching gestures that might betray her true, hidden intentions.
"I am, Uncle," Delaney replied smoothly. She decided to offer a highly clever, perfectly calculated lie that would not only explain her absence but would also deeply appease his incredibly frugal, money-hoarding nature.
