Joseph Lancaster spoke indifferently; a cultured and polite man was being so cutting for the first time.
The mother of his child was being ostracized by her relatives, so all his courtesy and deferential manners were fed to the dogs.
The Lancasters were all looking embarrassed. Joseph Lancaster held a bag in one hand while gently supporting Violet Zimmerman's shoulder with the other, "Let's go, sister-in-law."
"Wait a minute!"
Just as they reached the door, Lucy Zimmerman blocked them.
Lucy stood in the middle of the doorway, arms outstretched and chin raised in defiance, questioning sternly, "Joseph Lancaster, what have you taken me for? You tricked me into coming back, saying you would propose to my parents, but it was all just to take your sister-in-law back! Today, you must be clear with your words! You're not going anywhere until you do!"
"Lucy!" Dylan Zimmerman's displeased voice rang out, and Eleanor Duncan and Natalia Zabinski both let out a light snort.
