If he were honest, he had been quite enjoying watching Darrow flounder - and might have let him fumble over himself for a lot longer, had Dionisia not appeared at his shoulder. It sounded like she was trying to help Darrow, being a great deal more forthcoming than Ari had planned to be; he recognised the tactic. It was usually him trying to soothe the tension.
Of course, if she wasn't talking to Zelda as she had used to, his wife wouldn't know the full story here. He didn't particularly want Dionisia to think badly of him - want anyone to think badly of him - but hopefully she would assume he had his reasons. He had reason enough, he thought, to refuse Darrow entry entirely, and speak to his father himself. He didn't know what Darrow wanted, but it must have to do with Zelda. And whatever it was, there was a fair chance it would not... go down well.
Especially not during Passover. Especially not in front of the whole Fisk family. As he had found out once and for all himself at the end of last year, facing the attention of the whole collection of Fisks was - quite something. Even the bravest of men might stumble.
So inviting Darrow in was a disaster waiting to happen. Ari knew this. The family did not like surprises. Zelda certainly did not like surprises. He didn't like Darrow, and he was already quite certain he would not like what Darrow was planning to say. Sending Darrow away to leave his card for another day would be the kindest thing to do.
For once in his life, Ari wasn't feeling kind. Darrow had landed Zelda in the worst sort of position (the same situation that had landed Dionisia here, out of her job and married to him, enduring the Fisks regularly at family holidays!), and had evidently not yet been discouraged enough from pursuing her. Well, then. So be it. He ought to have to endure the Fisks, too, and face up to reality. Ari had no obligation to make it easy for him. "Oh, no," Ari said evenly, as if Dionisia's arrival had possibly changed his mind and his manners. "This evening is fine." He stepped back into the hallway, opening the door wide and firmly ushering Captain Darrow in. "Please, be my guest."
Of course, if she wasn't talking to Zelda as she had used to, his wife wouldn't know the full story here. He didn't particularly want Dionisia to think badly of him - want anyone to think badly of him - but hopefully she would assume he had his reasons. He had reason enough, he thought, to refuse Darrow entry entirely, and speak to his father himself. He didn't know what Darrow wanted, but it must have to do with Zelda. And whatever it was, there was a fair chance it would not... go down well.
Especially not during Passover. Especially not in front of the whole Fisk family. As he had found out once and for all himself at the end of last year, facing the attention of the whole collection of Fisks was - quite something. Even the bravest of men might stumble.
So inviting Darrow in was a disaster waiting to happen. Ari knew this. The family did not like surprises. Zelda certainly did not like surprises. He didn't like Darrow, and he was already quite certain he would not like what Darrow was planning to say. Sending Darrow away to leave his card for another day would be the kindest thing to do.
For once in his life, Ari wasn't feeling kind. Darrow had landed Zelda in the worst sort of position (the same situation that had landed Dionisia here, out of her job and married to him, enduring the Fisks regularly at family holidays!), and had evidently not yet been discouraged enough from pursuing her. Well, then. So be it. He ought to have to endure the Fisks, too, and face up to reality. Ari had no obligation to make it easy for him. "Oh, no," Ari said evenly, as if Dionisia's arrival had possibly changed his mind and his manners. "This evening is fine." He stepped back into the hallway, opening the door wide and firmly ushering Captain Darrow in. "Please, be my guest."
