Until Ian's sudden panicked voice sounded from the doorway. "Who gave you permission to touch my things?"
He hurriedly rushed in, snatched the box from her hand and, with a face dark with anger, scolded, "Did the Cumberland Family ever teach you to rummage through other people’s belongings?"
Clara jolted and finally came back to her senses. Her throat felt dry and she avoided his gaze and said in a low voice, "I was just looking for a pen to doodle with... I thought it might be in there."
Her explanation didn’t seem to convince him because Ian’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, his voice laced with urgency. "Did you open the box?"
Seeing the tension thickened in the air as time passed, Clara quickly shook her head. "No."
Ian exhaled in relief and his expression softened just a little. However, when his gaze returned to her, it was as cold as ever. "Get out and from now on, stay out of my study unless I say otherwise."
"Alright. I’m sorry." With a lowered head, Clara blinked rapidly and went straight to the attic,