Hopeless Romance

14.2 | More Acquainted

The tension in the room thickened, the air heavy with fumes of disdain on both sides of the table. The golden afternoon light, once warm and inviting, now seemed to spark a flame in the room, fueled by Addie's rage, capable of burning the manor to the ground. Despite the violent emotions swirling within her, Addie's expression remained cool and composed.

Mr. Forsythe coughed coarsely to break the tension. "The tea is marvelous, Sophia," he said, his voice a mix of pleasantry and sternness. "Why don't you and Meredith have some more; you both appear rather parched." He and his sister exchanged competitive glances, each measuring the other.

"I'm just fine, brother. Thank you for your concern," Ms. Meredith replied cheerfully, unaffected by her brother's scolding gaze. Her light tone held an undercurrent of defiance. Addie watched them carefully, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

"Oh dear, was that insensitive of me to say?" Sophia inquired, her feigned surprise not quite masking the smirk she aimed at Addie. "I only meant that we are more cautious on the staircases since her fall."

"Miss Tiana could have seriously harmed herself had we not been there when she fainted," Ms. Meredith claimed.

"Thankfully, she wasn't," Mr. Crandall interjected before munching on a finger sandwich.

"Truthfully, I'd rather it have been my ankle instead of hers," Mr. Forsythe proclaimed to Addie. She forced a smile, appreciating his genuine sentiment and effort to protect her from his sister's barbs.

"I'm so fortunate to have a brother with such a caring heart," Ms. Meredith said, her tone laced with sarcasm. Mr. Forsythe's smile faltered. "I was so relieved myself to know Miss Tiana only suffered a mild sprain. If it had been any worse, it would have broken my poor heart," she said, her pleasant tone failing to mask the mocking undertone. "Yet, it still pains me to see her hurt and less of herself."

"How compassionate you are, Miss Meredith," Addie replied, matching her mocking tone. She then turned to Mr. Forsythe with a beaming smile. "I must concur, Mister Forsythe. The tea is delightful and truly quenches one's thirst," she remarked, pausing to take a long, thoughtful sip of her tea. The ladies' amused faces swiftly shifted to dejection, which satisfied Addie immensely.

The cousins exchanged glances briefly before Ms. Meredith spoke up once more. "Is Miss Tiana your younger or older sister, Miss Addie?" she inquired, a sly grin on her face. Addie's face fell, her pulse quickening at the insinuation behind the question.

"What does it matter, Meredith?" Mr. Forsythe interjected, his voice sharp.

"I simply wish to know. Surely, you have no 'enlightening' monologue on society's valuation of birth order among siblings, do you, Miss Addie?" Ms. Meredith taunted.

"Not at all," Addie replied, though wary of where the conversation was heading. "I am the eldest of my sisters," she declared with confidence, meeting Meredith's gaze head-on.

Ms. Meredith's devious grin widened. "How interesting," she mused, her tone suggesting she had more to say on the matter. Addie braced herself, knowing what was to come. Addie could sense they were maneuvering her into revealing her age.

"I thought as much," Ms. Sophia commented. "So, are you in your twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth year?" Addie sighed as quietly as she could muster. She hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

"How much older are you than Miss Tiana? Surely, it cannot be by much," Ms. Meredith inquired, her tone tinged with curiosity.

"Meredith," Mr. Forsythe interjected, his frustration apparent. "She has already stated that she doesn't wish to be defined by her age, which I think we should respect." Addie eyed him with gratitude.