The maid took the bag, "I'll see to it right away, sir," and Amelia narrowed her eyes. See for himself? See for himself?! Anger burned at the pit of her stomach. She spent the next moment attempting to calm her already frayed nerves. Instead, she blurted out what was on her mind. "Pleased? Why, I am SOOO pleased," she said with false sweetness. "I am so pleased that you decided to finally take an interest in my life, but may I ask... why ever for? You and father certainly took no interest before now as to my whereabouts and goings on as long as I was good and proper, which I -have- been." And that was a bitter pill to swallow.

She sighed and the butler stood there with the door open. He did not look too pleased. The old man eyed the young man with thinly veiled hostility and the need to protect Amelia seemed to be great. "Your room is being prepared, sir," he said with a derisive sniff.