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The doctor remained for dinner, and the dining hall felt the weight of his presence. With few guests in attendance, the family shared their table with Dr. Franz and Lord Ashwin.
Alexis watched Ashwin carefully. He seemed completely unperturbed by the doctor and even offered him a sincere welcome on seeing him enter the dining hall. But despite the great show Ashwin put on, Dr. Franz remained curt and professional.
The doctor said little over the course of the meal, but his eyes constantly scanned everyone and Alexis found herself deeply scrutinized by the awful man on several occasions. She disliked him, a feeling that only intensified over the course of the interminable meal, and she was eager to see him leave.
When he announced he’d be staying for the night, a knot filled her belly and a sense of foreboding enveloped her. She didn’t trust him and feared for Ashwin’s safety. With every fiber of her being, she ignored the possible underlying fear she had for her own safety.