merely offering. It’s up to you, William.”
Will met his father’s eyes. The man’s eyes reflected seemingly genuine warmth, but he knew the baron was acting for the benefit of his wife. Will turned to the baroness with an apologetic look. “I’m truly sorry, Your Excellency, but the baron is correct. I really must return to school.”
The baroness growled at him.
“Agnes,” Will corrected immediately.
She patted his arm with an affectionate smile. “That’s better. If you must return then by all means do so, William. We won’t keep you, but please do return soon. My invitation was sincere.”
He felt something warm form in his chest, and to his surprise Will realized he felt a certain fondness for not just his sisters, but the entire family. It was a wistful sensation, and he replied wholeheartedly, “I would like that, Agnes. Thank you.”
Tabitha moved in quickly, and before he could react, kissed his cheek. “Hope to see you soon, Brother!”
Will froze, staring at her. How does she know? A glance at his father showed him that the older man was similarly stunned. Laina merely seemed irritated by the comment, but Agnes rebuked her daughter, “You really are too much, Tabitha! What will I ever do with you?”
Tabitha laughed. “We’ve always said Selene was our sister, so if he’s her husband then that makes him our brother-in-law, doesn’t it?” She winked in Will’s direction.
Hearing her explanation, Will relaxed, but the panic receded only to be replaced by another more difficult emotion. His vision blurred slightly, and he turned away. “I really do need to be going.”
The two sisters followed him and their father to the door, and before he could step out, Laina leaned in and said quietly, “Thank you for everything, but please don’t do anything like last night again. Selene would murder me if anything happened to you because of me.”
He paused and gave her a serious look. “I thought you didn’t trust me.”
She glared at him. “Maybe I was wrong. Truce?”
Will nodded. “Truce.”
“Don’t follow me again,” she warned.
Having spent a considerable amount of time around the fae, Will circled the question. “After last night I can’t imagine anyone would be foolish enough to do that again,” he replied. Then he turned to Tabitha. “Thank you for your kindness.” Following Mark Nerrow, he was out the door before Laina could make up her mind whether he had answered her question properly.
Chapter 11
Once they were safely ensconced in the carriage and on their way, the baron gave Will a stern look. “You seemed rather comfortable with my family.”
The deliberate use of the word ‘my’ stung. It was true, obviously, but it still hurt, for it clearly delineated the separation between them. Laina, Tabitha, and Agnes were Mark Nerrow’s family, not Will’s, nor would they ever be.
Will had never really wanted to be connected to his father, but his half-sisters were a different matter. He hadn’t had any hope to speak of, but his recent stay at their home had filled him with emotions that he still hadn’t sorted out. He had no idea how to reply. “You have a splendid family. Your wife and daughters are delightful. You must be very proud.”
“Protective,” stressed the baron. “Someday when you have children you’ll understand. Fathers are protective before all else.”
“Pardon me, sir,” said Will coldly. “I never had a father to serve as an example.”
Mark Nerrow’s eyes grew angry for a moment, but he suppressed the feeling. “You have every cause to be angry with me, William. I won’t begrudge you that. If things had been different—”
Will thought the man looked remorseful, and that irritated him even more. It was your decision, not mine that led us here, he reminded himself. “But they weren’t,” he interrupted.
“Exactly,” agreed the baron with a sharp, decisive nod. “I think you realize it’s too dangerous for you to spend time around my family. Sooner or later the secret will be out, and I won’t risk the problems that would cause my wife and children.”
“You’re worried about your marriage,” said Will.
His father waved a hand dismissively.