Alice was about to express her satisfaction when Opal chimed in with a bright smile.


    "She''s indeed a fine girl, and we are all quite pleased. However, marriage is a serious matter and shouldn''t be rushed. Why don''t we each go back and discuss this with our families? After all, Ms. Sanford hasn''t said whether she likes Thomas, and they''ve only just met today. It''s best to first understand her feelings."


    Gemma replied, "That wouldn''t be difficult. I can ask her right away."


    Opal chuckled. "Let''s not be too hasty. If you send someone in to ask her like this, it might offend us if she says she doesn''t like him. If she says she does, it could make her seem eager, which wouldn''t look good for a youngdy. Since both our families have already met a couple of times, it wouldn''t hurt to meet again. After all, her parents aren''t in the capital, and her feelings are what truly matter. What do you think, Madam Gemma?"


    With such reasonable arguments, Gemma found it hard to dispute Opal. After all, a match between their families shouldn''t be rushed. Both were noble households. Still, the urgency was palpable.


    Alice didn''t fully understand Opal''s reasoning. But on reflection, it made sense. If they asked Lisette now, would it be better if she rejected Thomas outright or merely hesitated? If she liked him, saying so would make her seem desperate to marry, and no woman wanted toe across that way. Conversely, if she liked him but imed otherwise, that wouldn''t be good either.


    Violet admired Opal''s carefulness. Her meticulous nature was trulymendable.


    Alice smiled. "Opal is right. If there is truly a bond, it won''t slip away. A couple of days won''t make a difference."


    With the matter settled for now, Gemma smiled and said, "That makes sense. You''ve thought this through quite well. I''ll wait a couple of days before visiting again."


    Though Gemma said that, Alice felt something was off.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Thomas'' side of the family showed no objections. At least, they appeared satisfied. Now they were merely inquiring on Lisette''s behalf. If she agreed, her family would send a matchmaker to formalize the engagement. That was how things were normally done.


    So, why was someone from Lisette''s side of the family personallying to visit? The Kingsley family was known for their propriety, so why this deviation from the norm?


    However, Alice kept her thoughts to herself. After all, she had trusted Gemma due to their familial ties. Now, the woman''s eagerness to finalize the match made Alice feel somewhat uneasy.


    They still needed to investigate Lisette''s background to determine if she was truly a daughter of the Sanford family.


    Violet had remained silent throughout their visit to Grovehill Estate. But once they left, Thomas turned to her. "Violet, do you sense something off?"


    Violet replied, "Let''s talk about it back at your ce. There''s definitely something suspicious going on."


    All three members of the Farrell family immediately sobered at her words. Violet was not one to speak lightly. Though she loved to tease and have fun, she was particrly serious when it came to important matters. Her tone suggested that today''s visit had something significant to do with the woman from the Sanford family.


    Upon returning to the Farrell family''s residence, Violet dismissed all the servants and said, "The girl''s name is Darin, and she''s not from the Sanford family. The Kingsley family has reasons for approaching Thomas regarding this match, We can''t agree to this engagement, but we also can''t outright refuse it right away. Since I apanied you to Grovehill Estate today, a swift rejection would leave some things unclear, which wouldn''t be good for Carissa and me moving forward."


    Alice''s heart sank a little, and sadness washed over her. "Gemma lied to me? I thought we were family! How could she use Thomas''s marriage to deceive me?"


    Violet replied. "Darin may not be a


    bad girl. She could also be unaware of the truth. But we need to get to the bottom of this. For now, just


    dy for a month or so. What you do don''tmit to whateve


    immediately. Otherwise, you fisk tarnishing your reputation. And I doubt Darin wille out of this unscathed."


    Alice frowned. "Why does this have to be soplicated?"


    Opal stood up, linking her arm through Alice''s. "Aunt Alice, let''s step outside. We shouldn''t listen to everything Violet has to say. Some things might be better left unheard. We might be able to stay silent if we hear everything."


    Opal had a keen sense of propriety. She recognized that Violet was selectively sharing information, and there were topics they shouldn''t overhear, so she quickly ushered Alice out.


    Alice was not oblivious, and she realized that since Violet sensed something amiss, it likely meant the situation was moreplex than just family matters. There were undoubtedly some discussions she meant to have privately with Thomas, and they needed to stay out of those conversations.


    If they could avoid hearing anything, they should.