Elsbeth gave a dramatic sigh of defeat. Fine. They wouldn't discuss Lyra any longer. This meant that she'd gotten too close to the heart of things, which had made him put up an immediate block. She knew better than to pester him about it. Pestering only made him more annoyed and less likely to divulge anything.

"The Coming Out Ball is in two weeks. I expect you'll be there?" It was phrased as a question out of politeness (and her awareness at his terseness with her), but was really more of a demand. He had to be there. He was getting on in edge and she was getting well and tired of his bachelorhood.