Tristan glanced down when he noticed her tears, trying to avoid making the situation more awkward. In fact, her mentioning Pippa being in a 'safe place' only made him more uncomfortable. Pippa was, in a way. As safe as he could make it. And the asylum would have been the safest place for her in the circumstances before this conversation. But he couldn't help but feel his sister's judgement weighing on him. He hoped that they'd be able to find an alternative, now that Pippa's fortunes had changed.

He noticed the hand reaching out for his. His mouth turned to a hard line when it was stopped. It was a good thing, in many ways. Certainly the mere whiff of impropriety would make this entire situation even more awkward. But he didn't like the woman's attitude. She seemed to have a problem with him. Was it the colour of his skin? His inferior rank? Or had he said something to offend her? Perhaps it was just the way she was. He didn't like her behaviour towards Miss Zimmerman either.

He gave the weeping lady a kind look "Miss Winter is right. You must be tired after all the excitement of the day and I must be getting back, if you'll not think me terribly uncivil for leaving this food. I will get in touch with you tomorrow as soon as I have Pippa's... Miss Danes' permission." On reflection, that unpardonable liberty had probably set Miss Zimmerman's companion against him. How often had he used Pippa's Christian name? Yes, things were bound to be messy.