Linden had been standing at the door for only a short time, much like he'd assumed Ava had been lingering just the night before. Whereas she'd been eavesdropping, however, the doctor regarded his hesitation in making himself known something far more tied to propriety. It helped stay the low, unfamiliar frustration in his gut.
He'd expected the maid to tell Viola, and he'd expected Viola to react the way she did. It wasn't a surprise at all, to hear the mix of resignation and vexation in their voices. Still, he had imagined things to go a bit differently. It would've been better had Ava not bungled it, he supposed, and pushed the door open without any notice at all.
Striding across the floor, he casually tossed the small bouquet of flowers he'd been holding onto the bed and tossed an icy, dismissive glance at Ava before turning his attention to Viola. "I'd like to see you at tea this afternoon," he said briskly. "If you haven't got a full schedule already."