Susan still wasn't willing. "Richard..."

Richard rebuked her, clearly frustrated. "Enough! Stop being unreasonable!" he exclaimed.

'Oh.'

'So he does recognize that Susan is the one being unreasonable.'

I didn't want to dwell on it. The more I thought about it, the more it hurt. I spoke softly, "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood. I'll arrange for my aunt to move up now."

Upon hearing this form of address, he frowned again but remained silent, his expression cold.

I ...