She did sit down. She did feel better off of her feet for the moment, but she seemed to grow happier just being in the kitchen.

"Indeed..." pause... "Did you know that its said the kitchen is the heart of the house? Whoever said it was correct... I know now more than ever. I don't think I can go back to the life I was living... I don't think being pampered endlessly would make me happy when there is something to be said about when one accomplishes things they were never supposed to learn... I learned who I am in this kitchen... I learned that I could do for myself much quicker if I do not have another doing it for me.

"I am not helpless. You taught me some of that. Foolish at times, but that is how I learned to do better. I am a lot less frightened today than I have felt since my family died. Regardless of whether it is said or not, have no doubt in your mind that you are my brother and I love you as such. It can be a secret or open, it won't change, not ever." Then she sat up straight while saying, "I know you enough to know the scandal this might be to you, but I don't think I care this time only hecause I think you need to know." No, she had not read his mind, it was just on her mind since the Zimmermans left.

Tristan himself had never spent much time in a kitchen until Pippa and Nel had decided that this was the center of his home, rather than the dining room upstairs. He hadn't liked it.

His lack of kitchen experience did make him panic for a moment, but he found the remainder of Nel's soup. He knew how to heat something on a stove at least.

He put it on and then turned and listened. "I'm not easily scandalized, Pippa," he said, having just been scandalized by two Americans talking about excrement in a non-medical context. "Not personally anyway. I only worry about the social implications. Now that you have your family's money, enough to last your life according to Zimmermann, you have the privilege to care less about what people think. If you want to live without servants, people may frown but you can rise above it. My situation is different. A scandal may well end in the gutter or worse."

He had said more than he had wanted to say there. "I'm sorry. I should not trouble you with these things now."

If expressions spoke, it was hers with a look that said it was believing him, rather than say so, she tactfully said, "I am rather glad they kept their visit short." She gave a stretch and then blinked away a moment of dizziness when she felt the child move rather heavily for the first time. She gave a smile and looked down with a fascinated gaze.

"I imagine it's all been a lot to take in," Tristan answered. "Once you've had a meal, you must go and lie down for a while. Now that my sister is gone, you must have the guest bedroom. You'll be more comfortable there."