Elizabeth made a cup of mint tea and slipped discreetly back towards the staircase, hoping Constance would follow her somewhere more private. The older woman wasn’t interested in being inconspicuous; as far as she was concerned, the others aught to know what was discussed anyway. She sat herself down at the dining table and Elizabeth felt compelled to join her.
The others were too busy talking amongst themselves to pay any attention anyway; or at least that is the impression they wanted to give. The reality was probably different.
Elizabeth awkwardly sipped at the tea as Constance watched her silently. She had no idea what to say to Constance, and small talk seemed like a bad idea.
Eventually the awkward silence was interrupted as Francesca sat down beside Constance.
Elizabeth swallo
