Ursula could tell by the demeanour of her husband that there was disapproval and stress behind the cold and arrogant facade he always liked to put on. The disapproval was most certainly the result of her improper state of dress and that ominous noise from upstairs (likely one of their wretched servants not being careful enough while tidying up the drawing room) and the stress of a long day of tiresome meetings and business in the Ministry.
His snarky remark about the order of the house in his absence was an insult aimed at her. If he wanted to be mean and disdainful, he couldn’t care less he had just been home for only 3 minutes and hadn’t seen her in weeks.
She kept herself silently from telling him in a firm tone that the house had been thoroughly prepared for his return and everything kept in perfect order, as always.
She wasn’t in the mood for a harsh exchange of words, though, not at that hour and with both of them exhausted from their respective day.
It was also no surprise that he had chosen to hide in his study to continue with his work (would it ever cease?) and have his dinner behind a pile of letters. He would put his prestigious position and the work accompanying it over almost everything in order to polish the name Black.
She listened to him talking about his busy schedule for the next days, more work and meetings and also the mention of hosting a dinner for the Burke’s (her task for tomorrow) silently but attentively.
He was about to make his way past her, leaving her standing there like a silly student not worth his attention, when he suddenly stopped and faltered for a moment. His demeanour changed ever so slightly when he, for the first time since his arrival, actually looked at her.
The result was not a compliment, but a sober assessment lacking honest concern.
Ursula was taken aback for a second by his unexpected question about her wellbeing but quickly regained her composure and lowered her eyes before meeting his gaze again, expertly concealing all her emotions.
“Thank you for your concern, dear. I’m not unwell but have been… indisposed… in the past days, nothing a wife should trouble her husband’s mind with. In addition to that, the afternoon has been rather eventful. I‘m sure you will be very proud to hear that Cygnus has showed his first signs of magic today even though it was in most frightful circumstance. He involuntarily made himself float to not fall down the stairs while he was crawling after Arcturus. My intention was to send you an owl to tell you the good news tomorrow, but now…
Well, I‘ll leave you to your work then. Have Scrope bring a tray from the kitchen, the roasted pheasant should be to your liking! Good night!“
Ursula turned and made her way back up the stairs, looking back over her shoulder, adding in a collected tone:
“Don‘t expect me to wait for you to come to bed, I am rather tired.“
@phineasnigellusblack
