Inside the Crowe mansion, Lady Lucia entered the living room with a tray bearing two small porcelain teacups that had lily flowers painted on the side. The steam from the hot tea filled the room, almost hiding the worried look on the woman's face.
"I can't believe my sister has gone this far," Lady Lucia muttered, placing the tray on the low wooden table before settling down on a couch. She pushed forward the tray for her guest to go ahead and take a cup of tea. "Please help yourself. I usually brew the tea to suit my taste. If it's not to yours, I'll get the servants to bring brown sugar."
"You always worry for nothing, Lucia," Herschel waved his hands dismissively. Picking up the teacup, he brought it close to his lips and took a sip. "The taste is just perfect, considering the times we are in now."