Too Pensive to Notice

Chapter Four

Andrew woke up with a massive headache due to the sound of his mother and his sister arguing, and regretted his previous decision of not getting a bachelor's apartment for himself while in London.

Andrew was used to quiet mornings even when he was with Isabella. She always woke up at dawn, went on her morning ride every single day.

"What is all the commotion about?" Andrew inquired, still tying the belt of his robe.
His mother and sister were shocked to find him standing at the doorway of the upstairs living room at that hour, clearly having forgotten that he had returned and his room was the closest to the salon.
"Your sister is just being stubborn like usual. And why aren't you properly attired?"

"I am not being stubborn," said Elizabeth, "I just cannot understand what is the harm?"
"I didn't have the time to do my morning routine mother since I thought hell broke loose after hearing Elizabeth screeching." Andrew commented still trying to decide whether he should quit the scene and go find something to eat or be a gentleman and try to help solve the "issue".
"Oh Andrew you know you cannot use such profanities in my presence. And I am actually glad you are here since you can be the judge to this issue and we can put an end to all the screeching."

"I wasn't screeching," yelled Elizabeth and instantly noticed her mistake and so said, "I was demonstrating what a screech is and trying to show you the difference."
If Andrew wasn't suffering from a headache, he would have laughed loudly at his sister's well played antics but he couldn't and so decided to end this by asking, "What is it exactly that you weren't screeching about?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at that but answered him, "I would like to visit with Ophelia and mother is not allowing me."
He thought he saw his mother launch herself at Elizabeth but stopped herself in the midst of the action to say calmly instead, "It's not a proper time to visit even with best friends especially after last night's ball."
Andrew decided to interrupt whatever his sister had in mind, "Elizabeth why don't you find something to occupy yourself with for about an hour and then I will take you there since I was planning on talking to Ophelia myself. Will that satisfy you both?"
Both Elizabeth and his mother were shocked by his announcement that they only nodded in agreement.

Two hours later, Elizabeth found herself waiting for her brother in the hallway.
As Andrew came in, Elizabeth stopped checking the letter opener and the letter tray on the end table and looked at her brother with the demeanour of someone who had no interest in being where she was.
"I thought you were eager to leave," said Andrew.

"I am; it is just that your interest confuses me."

"Oh you believed me then? Good, I was afraid that mother will call my bluff," Andrew replied dismissively.

Elizabeth was dumbfounded for a minute but quickly regained her footing and retorted, "What do you mean?"

"I was merely playing your hero, dear sister, and the only reason I did that was because I owe you for the Mansfield's ball."

"Well I guess we are even then," Elizabeth was confused because; knowing her brother, he would have done something to repay a favour, and yet, she really believed he wanted to visit with Ophelia, and so she devised a new plan.

Andrew found the new habit of lying to his sister bitter sweet. He didn't really enjoy manipulating her to this extent, but he really did enjoy the confused look on her face.

Andrew had stayed up almost all night thinking of what to tell Ophelia and how to explain his odd behaviour. He decided that Ophelia was an honest person and would surely appreciate honesty, and so he was determined to tell her his true confused feelings.