She had toured some of the Echelon-Arnost estate yesterday, in a group, and had admired it already – but she did not think they had looked in on the library. Of course, even if they had, Callista would not have refused Mr. Echelon-Arnost’s company now: she had not expected to see much of him this weekend – there were different expectations when one’s family were the hosts – but she had always enjoyed his conversation.

Besides, if she was late out to the lawn games, perhaps it would give her the excuse to just sit and spectate and take a closer look at the gardens’ flowerbeds instead (which she would privately enjoy more than the games anyway). “Yes, of course,” Callista agreed readily, smiling back to hopefully see him at ease – he looked a little pale or tired or fretful, maybe. “I’d like that.”

She took an ambling pace or two towards the parlour door, intending to let him set the pace and lead the way. She couldn’t guess what in the library Mr. Echelon-Arnost supposed would particularly appeal to her, but she imagined he’d thought of something, and was curious to see. Until they were there, though – “And I should thank you for a lovely weekend,” she put in honestly. “I hope you have had a little time to properly enjoy it?” (Meaning, probably, not having to give people personal tours of the library.)

---