The afternoon was going from bad to worse, and there seemed nothing that Alice could do to avert the inevitable disaster looming on her horizon. Nics sister seemed determined to dislike her, and misconstrue everything she said into some kind of insult! And although Nic himself was as protective and loving as ever, she could sense a growing tension in him as well. Whatever was she to do? With every remark she made this little madam found some way to twist it into cause for anger. What had Alice done to deserve such treatment. From the very first words she had spoken she had endeavored to be pleasant. She had offered compliments only to have them ridiculed, and tried to perform her role as hostess only to have her offers rejected out of hand.

Nic, I think shes mocking me. Whitney said, in a bit of a harsh tone. But I cant tell. Im so confused.

Well, if that was to be the way of it, Alice could, if necessary show this young snip that she had met her match. But she mustnt. If Whitney was determined to dislike her, that was one thing, but Alice refused to let her have the excuse of rudeness from her side. Still there was something that had to be said, and if Nics sister did not like it, that was her affair. If this girl made a virtue of her bluntness, then she would have to stomach some plain speaking from Alice.

OH! Whitney, be assured, if I were mocking you, you would know it, Alice said, resting her elbow on the table, and leaning her chin into her hand. Believe me, although I think you are very good at putting on a show of being offended by every little remark I make and every little thing I do, you will have to take this offensive behavior much, much further before I will rise to the bait. I know you to be intelligent, and compliment you on this and you take offence, or pretend to; I try and make mock of my own shortcomings, and you turn this into some kind of attack against you; I try to offer you drink, you refuse out of hand and make it seem as if I am to blame for not already knowing your strictures against this or that beverage; you mock me for my deepest feelings and rebuke me for showing affection to your brother, and yet find nothing odd in calling me cute for trying to be kind to you both in the matter of what you will or will not eat. No, I do not know all of the things you despise in the way of food. Do I mock you for this? No, I rather wish to take the time to learn, and you try to make me look the fool for wanting to do so. I am attached to your brother and only wish to know you better because you are his sister and important to him. I come her wishing to thank you for your advice to Nic, once upon a time, and I have every kind word I say thrown in my face. No, Whitney, I am not mocking you. Now will you do me the simple courtesy of telling me why you see fit to make mock of me on out first meeting?

Turning to Nic and clutching his hands, it was all she could do to keep the tears from dropping. Im sorry, Dearest, but I dont know what I have done to deserve this. If loving you is a crime, I plead guilty. Yet I do not know why I should be pilloried for it. Truly I dont.