"Avaline, sister dear," Vivian said. "What is this?"
Midway through embroidering a dove, Avaline froze. Despite hiding it last night, Vivian held Lord Nightingale's coat in her hands.
It was their second day under house arrest, and Charles hadn't deigned them with either a conversation or his presence.
"What are you doing with a man's coat?" Vivian lifted the coat higher.
Avaline's face flushed, remembering Lord Nightingale. She carefully lowered the fabric and ring on her desk. Avaline had spent all morning working and never expected Vivian to visit her. Not when she was supposed to be looking after the twins.
"Wh-what about it?" she asked.
Vivian gave her a look. "You shouldn't have a man's clothing at home. Especially because you have a soon-to-be betrothed."
Avaline stood, glaring at her. "With what dowry am I marrying?" She rubbed her forehead. "Vivi, I'm not straying if that's what you're worried about."
Vivian walked around the privacy frame and placed the coat in the wardrobe. "All I'm saying is that not all men have good intentions. You must be careful."
"He didn't have any hidden intentions," Avaline retorted.
"You don't know that." Vivian put her hands on her hips. "All I'm saying is to be careful to whom you give your attention. There are many loose lips lately."
Avaline sat. "I have nothing to be ashamed of."
"So how did you get a man's coat?" Vivian draped herself across Avaline's bed. Her elbow dipped into the mattress as she held her head. "When did you get it? Who does it belong to?"
Why was she being so noisy? Avaline could never tell her the truth. Vivian wouldn't approve.
"It's Lord Nightingale's."
Gasping, Vivian sat. "What?"
"It's the day I went to work," Avaline lied. "It was raining, and well, he lent me his coat. That's all."
Avaline looked away. If she mixed the truth and lies together, no one would know.
"Ava, you can't," Vivian began.
Avaline clenched her jaw. "Yes. I'm aware. I'll return it." She gave her sister a look. "Now, be off with you. Perhaps you can convince Charles to let us out instead of wasting time here."
Vivian stuck her tongue out. "Fine."
Once her sister left, Avaline breathed a sigh of relief. With Vivian around, she wouldn't be able to concentrate. Not to mention, Vivian wouldn't stop nagging until she got what she wanted.
***
Avaline waited until after dinner to approach Charles. Knowing her brother, he wouldn't stay angry for long. The best way was to extend an olive branch first. While Elaine took the twins for a bath and Vivian fed their mother, Avaline paced around Charles's office door. She felt guilty about not helping as much, but she reminded herself that thanks to that, she had finished the second handkerchief for Lady Margie.
Taking a breath, Avaline knocked on Charles's office door. When there was no reply, she knocked again.
"Come in," her brother said.
Charles sat behind the large desk across the room. Scones burned low. He didn't look up as Avaline entered. Papers were sprawled across the desk. One such document had his full attention.
Closing the door behind herself, Avaline approached the desk. As he worked, she couldn't help but think how much he looked like their father. The same walnut-colored hair with its hint of redness under the light. Even the disapproving look he tried to hide was the same. Their father never had to say anything to let them know when he was displeased.
"How are you, Charles?" Avaline asked.
He didn't look up from his work. "Is that all you have to say?"
"I hope you haven't skipped meals," she continued.
"If I didn't know better, that might have sounded like concern."
Avaline rolled her eyes. "Being aloof isn't an attractive look for you."
Sighing, Charles put the paper down. "What do you want, Ava?"
"I'm sorry for lying to you," she said earnestly. "I wanted you to know that it was never about not trusting you. We - I didn't want you to carry the burden of this family alone. It didn't seem fair." She spoke past the lump in her throat. "Vivi and I knew that you'd get the value of our dowry twice over, so we weren't worried. We, uh, trusted you to do that."
It was all true. Avaline and Vivian did trust their brother. Yet, they couldn't let him handle everything alone. They were a family. A family should help each other.
Charles pinched his brow. "How can I face Father when I let my sisters work?" he asked.
"How can we face Father knowing we let you carry everything on your shoulders?" she countered. "He always said to help each other."
Avaline walked up to the desk. "You can trust us, too." Her voice was gentle as she spoke. "Aren't we here for each other?"
He sat back in his chair. "You're not forgiven," he said, "but I do understand why you and Vivian had to. It doesn't make it easier to swallow."
"It's a start." She bit her lip. "So, is there something you need help with?"
"You -" he began. He shook his head. "Dr. Howard sent the bill for Mother and Marie's treatment."
Avaline picked up the bill from the desk. Her eyes almost bulged with the amount.
She cleared her throat. "How is Marie?"
"She expressed her desire to return to work, but I told her to rest."
Avaline's voice was quiet. "We should pay her."
Charles nodded. "I agree." He hesitated, "I'll check with the bank about sending her money."
Silence hung in the air. Now would be a good time to ask him about work.
Avaline squeezed her fingers together. "There might be a chance I can help."
A scowl appeared on his face. "Avaline"
Licking her lips, Avaline said, "I've been working as a seamstress for a while, and though it pays, it's not consistent." She cleared her throat. "It's why I may have taken Lord Nightingale's offer to be a governess for his sister."
Charles stared at her, unblinkingly. "What? Lord Nightingale-? Governess-?" He intertwined his hands and held them against his mouth.
Avaline squared her shoulders. "It's a good opportunity."
Charles ran his hand through his hair. "Avaline, that's not the point. You were alone-"
"It was a business transaction," Avaline began.
"Blackburry won't see it that way!"
At his tone, Avaline flinched.
Charles sighed. In a softer tone, he said, "Now that you and Vivian are working women, Blackburry won't turn a blind eye to it. Your reputations will suffer."
Avaline crossed her arms. He was right. Yet, poverty didn't care. The only chance to save their family was through marrying a wealthy man. However, the chances of that happening were slim. If any man wanted to marry into the Stark family, then they weren't after money. If anything, they would be doing them a favor.
"Who says anyone has to know?" she asked.
Charles stared at her. "You want to keep it a secret?"
Avaline gestured around the room. "So far, we have."
Charles stood and walked around the desk. Taking his sister's arm, he led her to the couch, where they sat down. He held her hand.
"Avaline," he said with a serious tone. "Are, are you and Lord Nightingale...are you courting him?"
Avaline snatched her hand back. "No!" Her face burned. "Nothing like that. Charles, I assure you. Lord Nightingale and I..." Her thoughts turned to last night. "...we have nothing between us."
Charles sighed. "You know, I, I can be open-minded."
Avaline jumped to her feet. "Brother."
Charles stood. "All I'm saying is that I am open-minded about some relationships."
Avaline fanned her face. What was he saying? How could his mind jump to that sort of relationship?
"You don't have to worry about that," she told him. Composing herself, she turned around. "I'll tell Lord Nightingale I can attend the lessons tomorrow. Will that be alright?"
He nodded. "Fine. Promise me that you will keep decorum."
Grinning, Avaline hugged Charles. "I will. Thank you."
He patted her back. "Don't make me regret this."
"You won't." She stepped back. "Can I take the twins with me? I think it will do them some good to have friends."
Charles gave her a look. "Don't you have to ask for permission first?"
Avaline smiled shyly. "If I have permission, do I have your permission?"
He sighed. "Yes. Ask the twins first."
With a hug and a kiss, Avaline rushed out of the room. Charles stared at her back, shaking his head.