Tessa was distracted through much of the meal. She kept glancing across at the servants' table, trying to glean how Tobias was getting along with the other members of the household help.
He seemed to be trying to shrink down into his chair, from what she could see. She saw Isaac, the gardener, and Mia try to draw him into conversation once or twice. Most everyone else seemed content with curious glances over their food. The Varryses had never had a slave in the house before, and no one seemed quite sure how to handle it.
"Tessa, are you listening?"
"Hm?" She jerked her attention back to her own table and realized her mother had been speaking to her. "Oh, uh, sorry. What was it?"
Nateri tutted and shook her head. "I was saying that I scheduled your dancing instructor to be here at noon tomorrow."
Tessa bit back a groan and forced a polite smile, nodding. "Alright." She took another bite of her meal and realized it had gone cold. How long had she been distracted? Nateri continued talking, but she really wasn't paying attention.
She was snapped back into the present when her father stood suddenly, his chair grating across the floor. Immediately everyone's attention was on him. He nodded toward the servants, saying, "Excellent as always, Della." The cook smiled, nodding to the people around her to indicate they should start clearing up. As they did, Erik added in a voice that was somehow both quiet and carrying. "You, Tobias was it? A word please."
Tessa froze. "Father-" she started.
Her mother touched her arm gently, shaking her head. "Come along, sweetheart," she said quietly, pulling her to her feet and leading her toward the door. To the servants she said, "Go on about your business please."
Tessa resisted, though not very forcefully. She ignored the servants trickling out of the room, muttering conspiratorially among themselves, eyes locked on Erik. "Father," she tried again.
He ignored her. Beckoning Tobias with a hand he said imperiously, "Come here, please."