Evalina may have ranked her husband just below a sack of dung, but she knew others weren't subject to such misery - some, like her cousin's wife, had the good fortune of at least sharing some sort of mutual affection; if not, respect.

She followed Rufina's gaze towards the welcome witch and straightened her back in an authoritative manner. With a flick of her hand - a gesture many of her servants had become accustomed to when they knew if they stayed longer there would be consequences - she dismissed the wench. "Please bring us some tea at your earliest convenience," she requested in a tone that did not convey much patience. Her expression softened as she turned back towards Rufina. Eva relaxed her stance a bit before joining the other witch.

"They've not even deigned to tell you of his whereabouts in the hospital?" she inquired, though again, the answer was obvious. Evalina doubted that as a proper example of a society wife, Rufina Mulciber would be here instead of at her husband's side if she knew where he was.