He was right, of course. She was being fearful and he, somehow, had become the rational part of this equation. Given his ludicrous opinions on marriage and how it had gotten them here, Angelica wasn't certain he still was capable of rational thoughts about their situation. She should be grateful. Dealing with  realtors, the logistics of combining homes, neither of these things appealed to her and if he wished (or at least offered) to handle such boring masculine things as real estate, she wouldn't interfere. "I am sure you are right. Just nerves, I suppose." It would be deadly to leave that dangling, so she clarified, "Could you imagine sharing the next week in your childhood home with all of your siblings and their families in residence? It would be enough to drive someone mad." Angelica doubted palaces were large enough to make such arrangements tolerable, but her family had a particularly dangerous 'snake to firebrand' ratio.

She bristled slightly at the insinuation that she was somehow lacking a staff. She wasn't raised in a barn, of course her staff could handle matters! "My staff are perfectly capable and have seen to me faithfully for years; they are capable of packing." Hands aching for distraction, she reached for her own cup, letting the strong bite of the Russian tea calm her defensive reaction. "My apologies," she offered him, her frustration still evident. "You are only trying to assist me, I know. I -" She paused, reluctantly surrendering her teacup back to its saucer. "I do not know how you can seem so stoic now. I can barely keep my seat."

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