Inspite of herself, his jibe about her marital status hurt her a little more than she would like to admit, but she fought hard to keep it from her face, even if she did feel herself go a little pale. Unlike Porphyria, she didn't especially want to be a spinster, and she had been trying socially, but found it difficult to hide who she was in order to flatter a gentleman enough to secure his interest. And who she was didn't seem to give her much traction, and she wasn't really prepared to sacrifice that. She didn't think it would make either her, or a prospective husband happy in the meantime.

'Your words dear brother, but we did all know you had little of value to do with your time, your wife being the worker of the family' she said glibly. 'I'm sure if anyone else has requests we can tell them to send them to you by owl directly.' her tone was perhaps a little clipped. She gave a final little glib wave to her siblings as she crossed back to the door.

Even so she had to bite the inside of her mouth to hide her upset as she allowed the drawing room door to slam behind her.

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