"Oh… morning." Jordan spoke, failing to mask her grating emotions.
"Indeed," Captain Bryce replied, curling his lips in an unfriendly manner. "My, you are fresh."
"Thanks?" Jordan's sister questioned.
"You should be, yes. It is always a pleasure to have someone new about."
"Oh," Jordan interrupted.
"Well look at you!" the captain elevated his tone and gestured pointedly, sweeping his hand from one sister to the other. "You are most certainly lost, and haven't an ounce of propriety-"
"Give us a break! We just got here-"
"And about time then, that you learn. All the better to fit in, of course."
"Is something the matter, Captain?" Col. Tavington strode toward the group, who had turned his way upon hearing his approach.
"Not at all, Colonel." Capt. Bryce replied lightly. "I was only assessing a small difference of opinion with our new guests."
"Is that so?" Tavington lowered his voice and fixed his superior with an even stare.
"It is indeed." Bryce fought back a simper. "They're quite charming, actually. Lively, wouldn't you say?"
Slowly, the captain changed his expression from a sneer to a more edgy appearance that did little to mask the genuine anger beneath.
"They are, I agree," Tavington chose his words carefly, "But surely, you have not allowed a couple of girls to impugn you so deeply."
Jordan gaped at the tense exchange, unconsciously taking a step forward, but Jula pulled her back, and she came to her senses enough to stop her gawking.
"I have not," the captain continued straying momentarily to the girls before her turned his full attention back to his subordinate, "But, a warning, just the same."
"Of course," Col. Tavington bowed his head and stiffened his back.
Bryce nodded dismissively and with a quiet 'Sir' Tavington turned on heel and all but shooed the sisters back to their room.