"Of course not, milord." Count Gerald acted quick, he knows Lord Ian dislike repeating his words and never want to be on the bad side of the Lord. Beside him, Countess Grace and Lady Monica was quick to pull their skirt and made a bow as if to apologize.
They know far better than anyone that offending Ian the Lord of Warine would only warranted death and by the seem of it, the woman beside Ian was treasured much more than they thought she was. If by mistake they offended the woman, they fear their necks would come in contact with his cold sword, they thought.
Elise felt uncomfortable with the Countess and Lady Monica as she had seen how much they dislike common people by the time in the thread shop, she lifted her head to see how Lady Monica had glared at her despite bowing down with her eyes on the ground. With the switch change of action in Count Family, Elise lifted her chin to Ian and felt her heart moved that he had protected her against their claims.