Page 32 - RotalTutor

picture and away from him to blink back the tears. “It’s all right, I guess,” she answered tersely. “The servants will have all of your things here momentarily. Dinner won’t be ready for a couple of hours. Would you like me to have something light sent up for you?” This is the one thing she hated most about Alexander, and had since they were young. Nothing she did seemed to ruffle him. He always remained calm and gentlemanly, even when she treated him harshly. For as long as she could remember, her mother and Lady Margaret had met to visit and vacation every summer at Walsken Manor. It was halfway between their homes and was where her mother grew up. Her mother had always insisted Louise come along, and Lady Margaret always brought Alexander. But when she turned thirteen, she had rebelled. She hadn’t seen Alexander for four years now, and she decided he hadn’t changed a bit. He was still the same self- confident, arrogant boy she used to try to fluster. But he had never showed any outward sign of being troubled, even though she had played every conceivable mean trick on him that her young mind could contrive. She was still determined he wouldn’t get the best of her with his calm manner. “No, I don’t need any food. I can do quite well without help from the likes of you.” He bowed slightly and, again, he had that almost-grin that she hated so much - the one that seemed to smirk at 30