As she watched Lorne's figure disappear through the mansion's entrance, Liana Macht sank into prolonged contemplation.
"Just... ordinary friends?" she murmured to the empty drawing room.
Clearly, she did not believe Lorne's explanation at all.
Whenever she thought of how haggard her daughter had looked, as though she had been sobbing, and her complicated reaction upon seeing him-a mixture of panic, mortification, and a barely perceptible hint of bashfulness-Liana knew their relationship was nowhere near as simple as "ordinary friends."
Could an ordinary friend provoke such a strong reaction from her normally proud daughter?
Impossible...
As her mother, she knew her daughter's temperament better than anyone. Since childhood, Hazel had been more mature and proud than her peers. Especially over the past few months, that pride had almost turned into outright arrogance.
Never mind male friends; she barely even had female friends she could talk to. Yet now, a male friend with whom she shared a close relationship had suddenly appeared.
This was far too suspicious...
Hazel had long since reached the age when she would become curious about and interested in the opposite sex. She had always attended the strictly run Girls' School and had almost no opportunities to interact with boys her age. Who could say she hadn't fallen in love at first sight after a chance encounter, and then been...
Liana couldn't help recalling everything Lorne had said and done earlier.
Although he did not seem to be of noble birth, his manners were impeccable, and he was reasonably good-looking. He also knew how to charm people in conversation without seeming overly ingratiating. A young man like that was indeed very attractive to an inexperienced girl who admired strength.
Perhaps her daughter really did like that type.
This suddenly reminded her of something. A few days before