“What brings you by?” Izzy asked. “Not that it isn’t always a pleasure to see you.”

“Don’t lie, Izzy,” Nora said before Williams could answer. “It’s bad for the complexion.”

Izzy ignored her. “I was just bringing up some tea for Constance Graves, but I could always pour you a cup if you’d like.”

Williams cringed a little at Constance’s name. Evenfall really was a small town. “That explains somebody’s bad mood.”

“What mood?” Nora asked, shooting up to her full height again. “I can hardly be blamed for—what in the world is going on up there?”

Just then the bell from upstairs started ringing again and then a door slammed.

Faustus let out a low meow. I eyed the cat as he adjusted his feet on the bottom step of the staircase. He didn’t often deign to speak to us, so I could only imagine Constance’s behavior was getting to him too.

Nora rolled her eyes back to Williams. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go take care of something. Or rather someone.”

Izzy’s eyes widened. “Oh, don’t you think I should be the one to check on Constance?”

“Oh no, no,” Nora said, waving both hands in the air. “I’ll take good care of our guest. Williams, please feel free to share your stories of doggy woe with my sister. After all, she has the more sympathetic ear.”

I couldn’t help but think Nora taking care of Constance was probably not the best plan. I snapped my book shut and pushed myself up, but the moment I got to my feet, Nora pointed at me and said, “Sit.”

I plopped back down.

Izzy took a step to head off her sister’s path. “Are you at least going to take the—”

Nora swept by her and up the stairs, Faustus leading the way.

“—tea?” Izzy finished, her shoulders slumping. True to form, though, my aunt recovered quickly. “So sorry about that,” she said, hurrying over to Williams. “How are things at the university? I used to love the beginning of the fall semester. The smell of new books. The start of sweater season. The crisp fall air so ripe with possibility!”

Izzy tended to ramble when she got nervous.

“Well said,” Williams agreed. “And it will be at least a few more weeks before all the students are beaten down and sleep-deprived. Now, could we discuss the reason for my visit?”

“I know. It’s Dog. He’s still—goodness!”

We all looked up. Something had hit the floor with enough force to rattle the chandelier.

I was much more successful getting myself up off the sofa on my second attempt. “Why don’t you go see what’s going on up there?” I suggested to Izzy. “I’d be more than happy to entertain Williams.”

“Oh, well, if you don’t mind,” Izzy said, looking to our neighbor. Ever the hostess, my aunt could hardly imagine being so rude as to leave a guest mid-conversation.

“Not at all,” Williams said, looking just the teensiest bit annoyed at having to begin her complaint a third time.