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However, instead of responding, Stella made to sit down.

Ava quickly grabbed her elbow, stopping her. “Say something in response,” she whispered.

“I appreciate the gesture,” Stella muttered. “However, I do not quite care for bouquets.”

The smile fell off Lord Shrewsbury’s mouth.

Ava’s heart sank at her sister’s cruelty. “I think what Stella meant is that she prefers seeing flowers in their natural habitat—in the garden,” she offered, trying to salvage the situation.

That seemed to have worked because Lord Shrewsbury beamed again.

“Then I suppose you would be happy to hear that my estate has an incredible garden that houses more than twelve types of flowers,” he stated proudly.

“That sounds… promising,” Stella said.

There was an awkward silence during which she rolled her eyes, as though she were bored out of her mind.

Lord Shrewsbury cleared his throat before he spoke again.

“Miss Stella,” he began. “Forgive me for being so forward, but ever since I saw you at Lord Pemberton’s ball, I have been looking forward to seeing you again.”

There was another moment of silence. It was not until Ava glanced at her sister that she saw her staring off into space.

She jabbed her elbow into her side, startling her. “Lord Shrewsbury was just saying how he had been looking forward to seeing you again,” she said.

“Oh.” Stella managed a smile. “Is that so?”

“You seem preoccupied, Miss Stella,” Lord Shrewsbury noted. “Would you rather I return at a later time?”

“Of course not, My Lord,” Ava quickly responded, looking askance at her sister.

“I know we were not able to talk at the ball. However, I would love to court you officially,” Lord Shrewsbury said.

Ava noticed Stella’s eyes clouding over.

“I am pleased to hear that,” Stella responded, not even a hint of enthusiasm in her voice.

“But you must first speak to our papa, of course,” Ava added.

“Certainly, I shall call on him tomorrow,” he responded.

There was an even longer moment of silence after that. Ava had just started racking her brain for something to continue the conversation when the Earl rose to his feet.

“I shall be taking my leave now,” he announced. “I will be back to make my intentions known.”

With that, he left.

He had scarcely walked out the door before Ava rounded on her sister.

“What is the problem with you, Stella?” she asked.

“What have I done?” Stella sputtered.

She looked confused, and if Ava had not been thoroughly convinced of the change in her sister’s behavior, she would have believed for a moment that Stella was truly oblivious to her actions.

“You know what I am talking about, Stella,” she huffed.

“I truly do not,” Stella insisted.