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Tarley shook her head.
“What are you doing up here?”
“I came up to see… Rose.”
Scarlett hummed. “Want to know something interesting? I went to look for you last night, and you were nowhere to be found.”
“I left early.”
“And Ollie was mysteriously absent as well.”
Tarley didn’t respond, figuring her mother was astute enough to put that together on her own. There wasn’t any reason to confirm or deny. Not yet, anyway.
“Tarley.”
“Mother. Don’t.”
“Where were you last night?” Scarlett grabbed Tarley’s arm and slid her thumb against the ribbon tied around her wrist. “There was quite a stir with Auri. I knew she’d been sneaking out—but we met–”
“Nix.”
Scarlett took her measure, her eyes drifting over Tarley’s entire form. “You knew?”
“I’ve met him.”
“When?”
“Weeks ago. But is that any of your business?”
“She lost her ribbon.”
Tarley’s hand circled her own. “What does it matter?”
“Everything!” her mother snapped, then lowered her voice. “Everything!” She stopped and glanced at the stairs. “There are things… I only want to protect each of you. You understand?”
“From what?” Tarley didn’t understand her mother’s adamancy. “Keeping Auri corralled in the cottage isn’t good for her. Nix—whatever your objections—makes her happy.”
“You don’t understand anything.”
“Because you haven’t told us anything. You have all these…” Whatever it had been slipped away along with the thought. She blinked and couldn’t remember what she’d even been thinking about.
“Why him?” Scarlett asked.
“Who?” Tarley blinked again, reorienting her mind, only she felt like she’d skipped over something.
“The stable boy.”
“Trevis? Or Ollie.”
“Humor me, Tarley. You know I’m not referring to Trevis.”
“Ollie is…”
“Be cautious. He isn’t what he seems.”
“And you would know?”
Scarlett’s eyebrows rose in high arches, a look she’d perfected over the years. Then her eyes narrowed, and she drew a deep breath. “Perhaps you should bring Ollie home for dinner, then? Since you insist on… whatever it is you insist on.”
