Roslyn pursed her lips in blatant displeasure at his reply; the only saving grace was that the trio were as 'alone' as it was possible to be in a room full of people, and she did not believe that his remark had been overheard. Still, it bore a frankness that she might have respected, under other circumstances, but that in Mr. Darrow she found simply crass.

A beat, and then, "Both, I would imagine, could be altogether more difficult. It is, I think, a testament to our affection towards Zelda—" the our that left her was so loaded that Mr. Darrow could not even dream of thinking it included him "—that either could be considered possible in the least. I think, Mr. Darrow, that you must have seen a great many things in your travels—wondrous things, things that defy even the deftest imagination. I can assure you that family trumps all of these."

Roslyn would not die to ensure her sister's happiness, for that would be depriving her children of a mother, but she would certainly trade a limb or two to ensure the best possible future for the youngest Fisk.

A cordial smile and nod of greeting was given to a passer-by, but Ros' attention did not leave the couple before her.