Daemon, Ace, Gage, and even Archivalt were quick to catch on. It didn't take much to realize that Ashley had been unsettled by the way they had hovered around the other girl, and the moment they saw their eldest brother break into a hurried stride, something in them snapped to attention.
Without a word, they followed, their earlier ease replaced by a quiet, growing unease. Behind them, Aunt Lavinia merely smiled, a knowing, almost chastising curve of her lips that seemed to say, 'see what you've done', before she, too, picked up her pace.
Duty compelled her forward as much as concern did; she had personally instructed the kitchen to prepare every dish she knew Ashley favored, and she intended to see the girl eat properly.
Left behind due to their urgency, the girl who had only moments ago been flaunting her closeness to the brothers found herself frozen in place. The confidence she had worn so brazenly slipped, her face paling as the reality of the situation settled in.
