"Come in," came Arthur's grave voice, and if Alexandra did, her father was watching her with a severe frown. She was a pretty girl, and could be such an elegant young lady if only she chose to. But most of the time, she chose not to and it was a source of endless irritation for Arthur.

Once upon a time, he had thought that her boyish, bold spirit was endearing, but as she grew into a young woman, Arthur had regretted ever indulging it. He had started too late trying to mend her ways and it had only gotten worse when the girl's mother had died and he had married Evaine. It was all so much worse because she was the eldest child, and therefore both attracting more attention from the outside world, and an example to her younger sisters.

It would all have been so much easier if his first had been a boy.

"Close the door, Alexandra, and sit down," he said in a tone that made it clear that that was a command rather than an invitation. Then he rung a bell, and a parlour maid, who had been waiting outside, entered and served both of them tea. Arthur's eyes were on his daughter coolly as the maid worked, and when she left, he let the silence sit between them.