"Your lessons will commence in the morning, Catherine. For now Alpheus will show you around the castle. He has nothing better to do."
Ouch. Blatant disrespect from his mother.
Al stood stiffly, his happiness clearly dimmed, and held out a hand to help me off the settee. We bowed/curtsied to take our leave as the countess stayed behind to talk wedding arrangements.
"Uh, is she always like that?" I dared to ask.
He let out a heavy sigh. "Yes."
"What's her problem?" I demanded. "You just let her treat you like that?"
He shrugged helplessly. "It's all I know."
I didn't like the way he looked when he said that, like all hope was lost. The sadness in his eyes I had noticed in the beginning was back. No wonder he wanted to run away.
"Don't listen to her, she's full of it."
Al's eyes widened. I don't think he understood what I said but my tone was clear.
