He thought it interesting that she had family that would not or could not help her with her business. Perhaps that is why she has to resort to other means of earning money, he thought, frowning for how he pitied the idea of her that way. A dark chuckle rose in his throat at the way she painted him, as if he were some white-gloved lady who would not dare become involved in something messy or unsavory.
"I get my hands dirty plenty. Rarely with actual dirt, mind you, but I don't shy away from my work. Sometimes things just...need to be done, so I do them." He smiled across at her, though, amused still that she might think him to be so distanced from his livelihood. "But no offense has been taken, Petal. You couldn't have known," he shrugged off.
"What is this with your family, though? Why must your sisters have their own lives and leave you with all the work to do? How many do you have, anyway? Sisters, that is. And...what else do they do if they don't help? Do they just let their husbands support them?" he guessed, rolling his eyes at the memories of utter laziness he had seen in many noblewomen upon being married. Some had been so strong and vivacious only to become tamed, demure little creatures that seemed incapable of thinking for themselves anymore.
