Once again installed in one of the backseats of the van, she glanced at Alan, who, with a serious expression, wouldn't avert his eyes from the road, although Joseph was the one driving. They'd barely talked since that night. Apparently, Alan had taken up again his original sullen attitude, clearly for some reason related to Adelle. Since he'd inquired about her - which he obviously regretted -, Roxanne had paid attention to their behavior when they were together. Alan's interest towards the innkeeper was so clear to her now. The woman was nice and kind to him, but it was hard to tell, due to her naturally affable character, whether there were any special feelings implied. Unwittingly - and without jeopardizing her regard for the lady -, Roxanne had analyzed the case from every angle an interested or jealous person would.
Adelle was a woman with many qualities indeed.
In the castle, they were received by a little less than infuriated Dora. The pantry was well stocked, but the absence of any kind of controller - father, mother, Mr. Harris or even Roxanne - had led them to all kinds of fears.
"This is all your fault!" she told her and Celeste as soon as they went in through the door. "Father is punishing us because of you!"
Joseph was the first to answer.
"Calm down, now. You knew we were coming today and that your fiancés will be here any minute."
"And why should we believe you? Why hasn't Mr. Harris come to tell us? Or Father?"
"I don't know, Dora," replied her brother, as understandingly as possible. "I really don't know."
"Are you all well?" asked Celeste, more to state Dora's absurdity than out of real concern.
The girl in yellow didn't bother to answer. She turned around, as arrogantly as she could, and began to climb the stone staircase.
"I'll have a look," said Roxanne, who didn't trust the blonde's leadership very much.
The other three were perfectly well. Too overwhelmed by the twirl of emotions to show rejection towards their eldest sister. They were, in fact - though they wouldn't admit it -, relieved that she had come.
It seemed, some way or other, everybody in the territory could sense the whirl of changes.
"I'm so happy, Roxanne," Blanche told her, as if trying to convince her. "It's what I've been preparing for all my life."
"I understand. But neither you nor I really know what you're going to meet with."
Leonard's genuine eldest daughter had the look and the tone of someone who's reflected on the matter for a long time.
"I'm willing to take the risk."