Stepping into the shooting lane, Maggie and Joanna fell into an unspoken silence. Their minds were each preoccupied with deep thoughts, ones as distant and turbulent as boiling water.
And then, they opened their mouths and spoke at the same time.
"Congratulations on your upcoming wedding," Maggie said.
"I don't want you to attend my wedding," Joanna said.
An awkward silence settled between them before Maggie responded with an "Oh" and turned away from Joanna.
"Your Grace, I didn't mean to offend. You don't understand what's going on at all," Joanna reasoned.
"You can drop the formalities, at least for this one conversation," Maggie said with a curt smile. "I am not in the mood of hearing 'Your Grace' every two sentences. Allow me to call you by your first name as well, because 'Lady Bennett' is quite a mouthful to say again and again."
"I agree." Joanna nodded fervently. "Again, I did not mean to offend."
