Something about Adena's expression had shifted the moment Eleanore's tired words registered. The concern flickering into something else entirely, something closer to alarm, gone almost as quickly as it appeared.
"Lady Adena." Eleanore straightened slightly, studying her more carefully now. "What are you actually doing in here? You have your own room for the tea party planning."
"I just needed a bigger space to lay everything out," Adena said, already gathering the fabric samples into her arms with more haste than the task required. "Your room has better light. For colors. Color matching needs good light."
"Lady Adena."
"I should go check on the invitaion list anyway, I think I left it downstairs, or maybe it's still in my room, I should probably check both—" The words tumbled out faster now, disjointed, nothing like Adena's usual confident chatter, and she was already halfway to the door before Eleanore could get another word in. "I'll come find you later! Feel better! Bye!"
