Disclaimer: All characters owned by Daniel Handler, not me.
Loyalties
"You're what?"
Beatrice swallowed nervously, holding out her hand. The diamond ring on her finger gleamed in the afternoon sunlight. "We – we're getting married."
Kit stared at her in disbelief, not trusting herself to speak.
"I – thought you should know –"
Kit turned abruptly and strode over to the window, fists clenched at her sides. She stared out at the bleak, snowy landscape. In the past she'd found the sight calming, even peaceful, but right now it just seemed blank and cold. She felt like screaming. Smashing the window, maybe. But she held herself together. She always did.
"Kit, let me explain –"
"You don't have to explain." Kit's voice was steady and cold, as cold as the mountains. "I understand perfectly."
Beatrice reached out timidly, attempting to take Kit's hand, but Kit pulled away from her as if she was something poisonous. "Just go," she hissed. "I don't want to hear it."
Beatrice didn't leave. She stood there, head bowed, eyes filling with tears. When she finally spoke, it was in a voice barely louder than the wind outside. "Kit, please…"
"You know, I always thought he was right about you," Kit said softly. "Lemony, I mean. He absolutely worshipped you. Never shut up about it. Kept saying you were everything he'd ever wanted and how he could never, ever love anyone else and I don't know, somehow I must have got the impression that you felt the same way."
"I do!" Beatrice gasped. "I mean, I did – I mean…" She paused, struggling for words. "I just don't know what to believe any more."
"Looks to me like you believe the Punctilio."
"It is not that simple, Kit, and you know it!" Beatrice grabbed a startled Kit by the arm and spun her round to face her. "You think I don't want to believe that he's innocent? You think this is easy for me?"
"I –"
"I would give anything to believe that this is all just some – some terrible misunderstanding, but let's face it, Kit –" She sighed, and her voice grew softer, almost pitying. "It doesn't look that way, does it?"
Kit didn't know what to say. Her eyes met Beatrice's for the first time, and for a second she almost wanted to agree with her. No. No, it doesn't. The words were there, waiting for her to say them. To admit what she was beginning to suspect was the truth. Admit that –
No. She closed her eyes, pushing the thoughts away as hard as she could. Her brother was not a murderer. He was innocent. He had to be.
She opened her eyes again. "Fine," she told Beatrice, steadily, betraying no trace of emotion. "Think what you like. I don't suppose it's any of my business any more, is it?"
She turned and walked away in the direction of the library, leaving Beatrice to call after her. "Kit, you can't just…"
"See you at the next meeting, B."
"Kit, wait…"
She closed the library door behind her and stood silently for a few moments, crying as quietly as she could into her hands. Then she wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. She couldn't stand here all day. There was work she had to do.