Arthur was waiting in his office. There were some closed files on his desk, but he wasn’t working right now. As father of a large family, he had to create family time sometime. And boy, was it family time now that he had heard a most scandalous report. He had sent a maid to fetch Alex, and there was a single chair on the other side of his desk waiting for her. Arthur sat back in his own, arms crossed, a deep frown between his eyebrows. He was not pleased.

Alexandra has been out in the garden picking flowers to dry for the season. It got her out of the house and away from the witch who was determined more then ever to make her behave. Flower drying was a lady like enough activity to keep the woman at bay. She had paid little mind to the maid as they approached, until her father’s summons reached her ears. Alex sighed deeply but stood and made her way to his office, basket of flowers in hand and her gloves taken off to rest on the edge of the basket. She did not bother fixing her dress or her hair, if he was mad, then neat clothes would not calm him. She knocked on the door and waited.

"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.