Upon returning to her room, Arabella found Ada waiting.
Seated by the already dressed table she was, her expression ambiguous. Something tainted the feeble smile clinging to her features.
"Is everything alright, Ada?"
"Oh! Yes, of course!" her words offered a confirmation, but the shaking of her head gave denial.
"Please, tell me what's putting such a damper on your mood?" Arabella insisted, bringing a chair to sit facing her friend.
"It's just that…," the maid trailed off momentarily, "I wish you had told me you wanted to see Edna before we got to the kitchens. I was taken aback, that is all,"
"Please, forgive me," the young woman hastened to take Ada's hands in hers, "I simply didn't want to cause you any worries," she shook her head, attempting to lock eyes with Ada but to no avail.
It wasn't until Ada decided to, that their gazes finally met, "Is it really the reason? Or did you hide your true intentions because you knew I'd oppose the idea and try to change your mind?"
