Blood pounded in her ears as Avaline rushed toward Delilah's playroom. She easily kept pace with Lord Nightingale's stride. They rounded the corner and heard Brian's mournful wail. Before them, in the room, was a mess of torn paper. Brian was on the floor with large tears rolling down his cheeks. Delilah and Anna held his magazine between them. The pages were bent into an awkward shape.
Brian let out another screech. Avaline clenched her teeth. She had never been good at dealing with the twins. Vivian and Elaine were the real experts. Keep calm, she reminded herself. Taking a deep breath, Avaline stepped forward.
Sir Myla moved to explain, but Lord Nightingale held up his hand. He was the first to speak.
"Delilah, come here."
Delilah's eyes misted over. With her head hung low, she released the magazine and shuffled over to her brother. He scooped her up in his arms. Motioning to Sir Myla, he and the knight walked out of the room.
Avaline turned to the twins. "What happened?" she asked.
Anna's chin trembled. She let out a wail of her own. "It's not my fault! I didn't do it!"
"Yes, you did!" Brian shouted.
With a scream, Anna ran up to Brian and pushed him. Brian staggered back and fell on his bottom. He let out another screech. Avaline rushed toward the twins and snatched Brian off the floor. Avaline scowled at Anna.
Her voice was sharp. "Keep your hands to yourself."
Anna looked up at her and screamed. She picked up the torn magazine and threw it across the room. The booklet smacked into the wall. Anna sat on the floor, crying.
Avaline held Brian close, rubbing his back. Brian wrapped his arms around Avaline's neck. His tears soaked into her blouse.
"You're okay," she whispered to him. "Breathe."
Brian sniveled and hiccupped in response. As she rocked him back and forth, Avaline moved closer to Anna. The young girl looked up at Avaline and rushed toward her. Anna clung to Avaline's leg, sobbing. With a sigh, Avaline patted Anna's back.
As Avaline held them, their two wails and sobs lessened to sniffles and shuddering breaths. Feeling her arm go numb, Avaline walked to the couch and sat down. Anna put her head on her sister's lap.
"What happened?" Avaline asked.
"Anna tore it!" Brian wailed.
"No!" Anna shouted.
Avaline pressed her lips together. "One at a time," she said. "Brian goes first. Then, Anna."
Brian sat up, wiping his face. "We, we, Delilah...and I, we were, looking at the pictures. Then, A-Anna came up and ri-ripped it."
Avaline pulled Brian into her arms. She turned to Anna.
"Now, it's your turn. Tell me what happened."
Anna sneezed. Avaline quickly grabbed her handkerchief and removed the snot hanging from her sister's nose.
Anna sniffed. "I, I wanted to see it, too, but they didn't let me."
"You're supposed to take turns!" Brian snapped.
Anna raised her hand angrily. Avaline grabbed it. She gave her sister a stern look.
"What was Elaine told you about putting your hands on others?" she asked. "Is this how we solve problems? By hitting?"
Anna reared her hand, but Avaline held on tight.
"Are you going to hurt our brother again?" Avaline softened her tone. "Is that what big sisters do? Do we hit our brothers?"
Anna's face scrunched up as she started crying again. Avaline rubbed the back of her sister's hand with her thumb.
"You have every right to feel sad or angry, but that doesn't mean you get to hit others because you feel that way."
"It's ruined now," Brian whimpered. "We don't have any money, and it's ruined."
Helplessly, Avaline looked around the room. The pages were everywhere. An idea struck her.
"Anna, there's still something you have to do."
She looked up with a tear-stained face. "I, I'm sorry!" She threw herself up against Brian, sobbing.
With an exhausted shake of her head, Avaline hugged both twins. "Let's try to fix the magazine. Brian, doesn't that sound good?"
He nodded.
Through tears and sniffles, the twins walked around the room collecting the pages. Avaline rubbed her chest as her pulse thumped like a drumbeat. She squeezed her fingers as her hands continued to shake. How did Elaine and Vivian do it? Avaline had another thought. After today, Charles wouldn't let the twins out of the house anymore.
***
Half an hour later, the Nightingale carriage dropped the Stark family off at their house. As the twins rushed in, sobbing and crying, Avaline trailed behind with the torn magazine in her hands. The late evening carried a warm breeze.
After such a scene, she could no longer look Lord Nightingale in the eyes.
Mr. Timmons had been very helpful, typing the magazine with a string. While she hadn't seen Delilah or Lord Nightingale after the playroom, Sir Myla had escorted them to the carriage. The knight had supported Brian's tale. Anna had gotten impatient and snatched the book from Delilah's hands. Unfortunately, Delilah had a stronger grip, and Anna had mostly ripped out the pages in an attempt to see it. Avaline had thanked her and been on their way.
Charles stepped out of his office and watched the twins run upstairs. Then, he turned to Avaline.
"What happened?" he asked.
After the tired rendition of the events, Charles scowled at Avaline. "Where were you?"
Guilt twisted her stomach. She should have been there. She knew that.
"You think anyone is faster than children getting into trouble?" Avaline asked.
"They cause a scene," Charles growled.
Avaline put her hand on her hip. "Why don't you ask Anna why she decided to push Brian and attempt to hit him? Charles, children argue. Even if you're watching them, it doesn't change anything."
Charles rubbed his forehead. "Get washed up. Those snot trails aren't going to wash themselves."
Avaline looked down at her blouse and grimaced. "Don't remind me." As she walked past him, she handed him the magazine. "How about finding a way to fix this, huh?"
***
After bathing and stain-treating her clothes and Lord Nightingale's handkerchief, Avaline sat down at her desk. With a few lit candles, she quickly wrote a message to Lord Nightingale.
To Lord Nightingale,
I sincerely apologize for the unsightly scene that transpired this evening. I have no excuses. Please accept my heartfelt apology. If there is anything I can do to remedy this, please don't hesitate to inform me. I shall do what's in my power to repair the situation.
I also ask that you inform Lady Delilah that she was in no way at fault for what happened. The twins should never have included the little lady in their disagreements. Again, I apologize.
With regret,
Lady Avaline Stark
Avaline bit her lip. Should she also tell him about returning his clothing articles? She glanced at her wardrobe. While it would take time for the handkerchief to dry, she could return his coat. Or was it better to make him a new handkerchief instead? Her face flushed. Fanning her face, Avaline closed the message. It was best to leave that matter till another time.
After letting Belle out the window, Avaline turned to her desk only for her door to open. She swirled around as Vivian walked in, carrying a candleholder. Long shadows caused her expression to look angrier than it was.
"I heard you got into some trouble."
Avaline sat back in her chair. "You know, I try to be helpful, but then it fails." She sighed. "I should have left them at home.
Vivian chuckled and sat on Avaline's bed. "I'd have you know that Anna is grounded and Brian is sleeping in my room."
Avaline straightened. "He didn't want to sleep with Anna, huh?"
Vivian shook her head. "His feelings are still hurt." She leaned back on one hand. "I never thought Anna would get jealous like that."
"Me either," Avaline confessed. "Not to mention, we caused a scene. I don't know how Lord Nightingale will take this."
"You think he'll dismiss you?"
Avaline shrugged. "I don't know. His sister was involved, and I know he's very protective of her."
Standing, Vivian said, "Charles is writing a letter tomorrow. I'm sure the two will talk it out."
"I hope so."