The next morning, Avaline wasn't surprised when Lottie told her Charles had prohibited the sisters from going out. As Avaline ate a bowl of porridge, Lottie poured her a bowl of water to wash her face.
"I'm to stay by the back door," Lottie explained. She used a rag to wipe up the small spill. "Jonna is to guard the front door."
Avaline dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "Brother is thorough."
"Peter was told not to let you use the carriage," Lottie continued. She walked around the privacy curtain. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"I need to send a letter," Avaline said. "Or is that not permitted?"
Lottie smiled sheepishly. "I'm sure the lord wouldn't object."
After sending her away, Avaline washed her face and got dressed. Without Vivian around, she chose a brown skirt and a white blouse to wear instead of a gown. As she combed through her hair, Avaline sat at her desk writing to Lord Nightingale. The message was simple: she had to postpone Delilah's lessons for a few days. It was a family matter, and she hoped to have it resolved soon. After apologizing profusely, Avaline wrote farewell and stamped the letter closed.
Avaline had finished braiding her hair when Lottie returned. Placing her hopes in her maid, Avaline settled into the couch by the window. Another cloudy sky greeted her that morning. The rain hadn't let up, and she didn't think it would. Avaline had no desire to go out. Not to mention, Blackburry had decided not to send the Stark family any invitations lately. Avaline didn't blame them. After rejecting so many events, and with the lack of a wardrobe, the Stark ladies weren't fit to attend too many events.
At least I still have one job. Perhaps Charles would give her the chance to return Madam Margie's items. Otherwise, it'd be stealing. Unfortunately, Vivian might have lost her job by now. From what Vivian had said, the bank was strict with their employees.
Sighing, Avaline brought Margarete's supplies to the window. What was the point of thinking about her worries when they wouldn't change? Instead, it was better to work. With two candles shining brightly beside her, Avaline raised the handkerchief to the light. Margie had said to take her time with the commission, but the family needed the money.
Avaline had yet to write to Sister Tucker about getting her mother treatment, but she still wanted to have enough time to save money for the expense.
A soft knock alerted her to a visitor. No one knocked like that except Elaine. Avaline could only imagine why her sister-in-law wanted to see her.
"Come in," Avaline called out.
The door opened. Elaine walked in. Her pale pink dress shimmered with every step.
"You missed lunch," she said. In her hands, Elaine had a small plate of fruit and bread.
Avaline placed the handkerchief in the travel bag and took the plate from her.
"Thanks."
Elaine took a seat on one of the non-messy chairs.
"Charles told me what happened," she began.
Avaline almost groaned. Of course, he'd tell her. Then again, she would be surprised if he hadn't told her anything. Spouses shared things. Elaine wouldn't have gone to see her if she didn't have something to say.
"Is that so?"
Avaline nibbled on the bread. The sweetness caught her off guard, and her mouth watered. How could bread taste so sweet?
"As you know, since marrying Charles," Elaine began. "I've been managing the household business. Having you and Vivian help with expenses is good, but distributing wages to employees... Well, it feels as if you've undermined my role here."
Avaline sat in silence. Her chewing slowed, but she forced herself to keep eating. Elaine had every right to be upset. She and Vivian could have gone to her, but instead, they had lied. It was a conversation worth having, even if it meant that Avaline was going to be scolded.
"So, you're saying you don't want our money?"
They turned to Vivian's voice from the door. Dressed in a familiar dark gown, Vivian walked in and sat on the bed. Unlike Elaine's, Vivian's gown was faded and had last year's fashion of puff shoulders and straight sleeves.
Avaline finished the rest of the blueberries before speaking. "Vivi. I told you to knock. Besides, this is between Elaine and me."
"No," Vivian said. "I'm involved too."
Wiping her hands with the napkin, Avaline placed the plate on her lap.
"Apologies," she said to Elaine. "We're not trying to attack you on both fronts."
"No," Elaine said. "It's good that we talk." She turned to Vivian. "I trust you heard what I said?"
As Vivian replied, Avaline finished the bread.
"I did," Vivian said. "I told Ava to keep our jobs a secret from you. We didn't know if you could lie to Charles."
"What did lying accomplish?" Elaine asked. "Now, it's the two of you that can't be trusted."
Avaline swallowed the bread.
"It's the only thing that kept our employees from filing grievances," Vivian retorted.
"Vivi," Avaline said. "Don't speak harshly."
Vivian looked away. "My apologies."
"I should have been told," Elaine insisted. She gripped the skirt of her gown tightly. "Are we not family? Why does it feel like I've always been left out?"
Vivian and Avaline shared a look. If Elaine had been on their side, would Charles have reacted so strongly?
"We're sorry," Avaline said. "I know it's been difficult managing our finances, and it's already a burden for you to maintain your dignity in public."
Elaine shook her head and sighed. "It's partially my fault. I haven't done my due diligence in trying to be family either."
"So, what can we do to remedy that?" Vivian asked.
The three of them fell silent.
"We can have tea together," Elaine began. "I've got plenty from all the gifts I received for my marriage."
Vivian and I looked at each other.
"Elaine," Avaline began. "The thing is, we can't help but feel that we're ruining your marriage."
"What?"
Vivian stood. "You came into this family with hopes, but now, we're facing bankruptcy."
"What she means," Avaline explained, "is that, using your money, wardrobe, and gifts leaves us feeling guilty."
"Family shares in fortune and hardship!" Elaine blurted out. "It's not like you're taking advantage of me."
"Then, we'll get better at that," Vivian said, "but you must tell us if you feel uncomfortable."
Elaine nodded. "Yes, I'll do that."
Avaline bit my lip. "Then, I want you to know that I have no desire to quit my job."
Elaine gaped at her. "Charles has forbidden it."
"I know what he said, but we need the money. Marie was injured. Mother needs help, and the staff needs to be paid."
"Our treasury is running out," Vivian added. "I've looked into our vault during my shifts, and it's not looking good. I doubt we'll last through the following year lest something changes."
Elaine looked down at her hands. "I do think my family can help."
"Charles won't accept it," Vivian reminded her. "You know him as much as we do. It's why we decided to work."
Elaine nodded. "Yes, I understand. Then, what if we found a job more fitting for a lady?"
Avaline frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well, other ladies work as companions," she began. "I can ask around."
"I suppose I can do that," Vivian said. "Perhaps if they extend a letter to us first, then Charles might agree."
"Leave it to me," Elaine said.
"On that note," Avaline said, "can I ask you to return my work to Madam Margie? I don't want her to think I've neglected the work."
"It's the least I can do," Elaine said. She stood. "Mother is taking a nap. I should check on her."
"I'll go back to the twins," Vivian added.
On the way out, they closed the door. Avaline ate the rest of the food. At least Elaine was on our side now. While she hadn't meant to hide it, Avaline wasn't sure she could tell her family about her job at Nightingale Manor. Not yet, at least.
***
When the sun set, Avaline went downstairs for dinner. She met Anna and Brian on the way down. The way their shoulders were hunched and their dark eye bags, it was clear they knew about what had happened to their mother.
"How are your studies going?" Avaline asked, trying to put on a brave face.
Anna walked past her. "It's fine."
Brian grabbed her hand. Smiling tightly, Avaline squeezed his hand and walked down the stairs. Vivian, Elaine, and Charles were seated in the dining room when the three of them arrived. Roasted chicken was the main dish for tonight. Eagerly, Anna and Brian rushed to the table.
"What's the occasion?" Avaline asked.
Elaine smiled sheepishly. "Well," she began.
"There was a sale at the market," Vivian interrupted.
Avaline sat down. There was another story to that, she wasn't going to ask. Other than Anna and Brian talking about their studies with Vivian, the family didn't speak much. Charles wouldn't even look at his sisters either.
"It's a shame we didn't attend Lord Nightingale's welcome home ball," Elaine said, trying to break the silence. "We should send a welcome gift."
Avaline plucked large chunks of chicken and placed them on the twins' plates. With grease flowing down their chins, they dug into their meal.
"Sending them a letter should be enough," Charles said. "There's no need to do anything more."
"That's right," Elaine said, with a strained smile.
Vivian placed her utensils down loudly. "Are you going to ignore us tomorrow, too?"
"How long are you going to keep this up?" Vivian asked. "It's been three days."
Charles stood. "Thank you for the meal." He placed the napkin on the table and walked out.
"Did something happen?" Brian asked.
Avaline gave Vivian a look. She knew how to pick her moments.
"He's been doing this since we were young," Vivian grumbled. "He's a grown man now. It's time to leave the pettiness behind."
"He needs time," Elaine told her. "Be patient."
Patience wasn't part of Vivian's virtues.
"Why is Charles so mad?" Anna asked.
"Charles is upset because Vivi and I lied to him," Avaline told the twins.
"Ava!" Vivian blurted. "What are you doing?"
"What did you lie about?" Anna asked.
If Vivian didn't want to hold back, then Avaline shouldn't either. She didn't want the twins to feel left out. They already knew about the family's money situation. In a gentler time, Avaline would have kept them in the dark.
"You know how you borrow things from people and then return them?" Avaline asked.
"Lady Margot taught us," Brian said proudly.
"Let's just say Vivi and I returned what was borrowed without telling Charles," Avaline explained.
The twins frowned.
"But isn't it a good thing?" Brian asked. "To return things that weren't yours?"
"It's a bit more complicated," Elaine spoke up. "Sometimes, when you do that, and don't tell the other person, it causes misunderstandings."
"Like what?" Anna asked.
"Like you didn't believe that the first person would return it in the first place," Elaine replied.
Elaine's words stung, but she was right. It was also right to tell the twins about what was happening. At least, to some extent.
"It's more complicated than that," Vivian interrupted.
"Vivi," Avaline began.
"Since we're being truthful," she said, "I think it's better to say what it means."
"Don't fight," Brian whined.
"We're not," Avaline assured him.
Vivian crossed her arms. Avaline knew she couldn't stand having Charles upset at her, but that didn't mean she had to confront him about it every time they bumped into each other.
"So, does this mean you won't lie anymore?" Anna asked.
Stunned, Avaline looked at her. "Yeah, we don't lie anymore. Right, Vivian?"
Vivi smiled at Anna. "That's right. We'll do better."
"Finish your dinner," Elaine told the twins. She turned to Lottie by the wall. "Please bring some dinner to Charles in his office."
"Yes, ma'am."
As Emily gathered food on a plate, Anna and Brian ate their fill. It wasn't long before they had stuffed themselves.
"Go wash up," Vivian told them.
Avaline watched them leave. She smiled at the bounce in their step. This is what they should experience every meal. Her throat prickled.
"You don't know how to hold back," Avaline told Vivian.
"I don't want to hear it, Avaline."
"How did we get chicken?" she asked instead.
"I wanted to splurge a little," Elaine confessed. "Everyone has been in such a mood. I thought good food would cheer us up."
"It did," Avaline assured her.
"Was it wise to tell the children about the loan?" Elaine asked. "It's not something children should worry about."
"Do tell, Avaline," Vivian added.
Avaline twisted the napkin in her hands.
"Fa-father always said not to fight among ourselves," she began. "Children are sensitive when adults around them argue. I didn't want them to be burdened by that."
"Fine," Vivian said. "But make sure you tell Charles that." She tossed the napkin on the table and walked out.
Sighing, Avaline rubbed her forehead. That could have gone better.