Tybalt was on tenterhooks to see how Elsie's response would be digested by her cousin.
He nearly choked at the question that came next, mouth falling open slightly at just how direct this conversation had gotten. He half-wished he could have sidled quietly out - or been willingly dismissed - before Elsie and her cousin started to discuss this sort of thing. What was he supposed to do, just stand here and avoid making eye contact?
That said, he was grateful he didn't have to be the one to answer. Fortunately, too, the truth here was bound to be the right answer, which ought to count for something. Yes, she obviously was. Which, less fortunately, meant that he, too, was set to stay that way. It was a fate he had already consigned himself to, but one which, in this situation, the chances of it ever changing were dropping steadily from infinitesimally close to nil to downright negative numbers. He'd known Elsie for long enough to be quite sure that would be one stretch of rebellion too far, and equally he had no intention of being held responsible for damaging her prospects at marriage (not that it didn't make him miserable to think about, but even if she wasn't convinced it would happen, Tyb didn't doubt one day she'd meet a perfect gentleman and change her mind). He'd mostly come to terms, he thought. But, factoring in this encounter with Elsie's cousin, if there had been the smallest sliver of a chance it'd happen one day... it was definitely gone now. Definitely. That sliver was smashed to smithereens.
More worrying than eternal virginity, however, was the destructive potential Elsie's cousin now held over the rest of what was he and Elsie had gotten away with for years. Being banned from making out in her library, that he could abide with, but what if she forbid him to spend any time with Elsie at all anymore? Even imagining it almost made him want to retch. They didn't even get to see each other as often as he wished they could, with secrecy necessarily their lord and master, but if the secret was out? Merlin, what new lengths would he be driven to just to have an innocent conversation with her?
He closed his mouth and swallowed, his throat uncomfortably dry. None of this spiralling speculation was making him feel any better about the situation at hand, and he hadn't a clue what to say to that -
But Elsie did. Tyb was wrenched out of his dismay in sudden awe, watching as she crossed her arms in uncharacteristic assertiveness. His eyes widened, more speechless than he had been; suddenly, despite himself, he had to bite his lip to stop himself from almost smiling. He wasn't sure Elsie would catch the look he cast her, but it was one of quiet admiration anyway.
He nearly choked at the question that came next, mouth falling open slightly at just how direct this conversation had gotten. He half-wished he could have sidled quietly out - or been willingly dismissed - before Elsie and her cousin started to discuss this sort of thing. What was he supposed to do, just stand here and avoid making eye contact?
That said, he was grateful he didn't have to be the one to answer. Fortunately, too, the truth here was bound to be the right answer, which ought to count for something. Yes, she obviously was. Which, less fortunately, meant that he, too, was set to stay that way. It was a fate he had already consigned himself to, but one which, in this situation, the chances of it ever changing were dropping steadily from infinitesimally close to nil to downright negative numbers. He'd known Elsie for long enough to be quite sure that would be one stretch of rebellion too far, and equally he had no intention of being held responsible for damaging her prospects at marriage (not that it didn't make him miserable to think about, but even if she wasn't convinced it would happen, Tyb didn't doubt one day she'd meet a perfect gentleman and change her mind). He'd mostly come to terms, he thought. But, factoring in this encounter with Elsie's cousin, if there had been the smallest sliver of a chance it'd happen one day... it was definitely gone now. Definitely. That sliver was smashed to smithereens.
More worrying than eternal virginity, however, was the destructive potential Elsie's cousin now held over the rest of what was he and Elsie had gotten away with for years. Being banned from making out in her library, that he could abide with, but what if she forbid him to spend any time with Elsie at all anymore? Even imagining it almost made him want to retch. They didn't even get to see each other as often as he wished they could, with secrecy necessarily their lord and master, but if the secret was out? Merlin, what new lengths would he be driven to just to have an innocent conversation with her?
He closed his mouth and swallowed, his throat uncomfortably dry. None of this spiralling speculation was making him feel any better about the situation at hand, and he hadn't a clue what to say to that -
But Elsie did. Tyb was wrenched out of his dismay in sudden awe, watching as she crossed her arms in uncharacteristic assertiveness. His eyes widened, more speechless than he had been; suddenly, despite himself, he had to bite his lip to stop himself from almost smiling. He wasn't sure Elsie would catch the look he cast her, but it was one of quiet admiration anyway.
