a genuine smile as he sat at the head table, exchangin

ere?” I asked, ra

ant and beady eyed wife, but not Lord Patrick. Surely I would have hear

and Raff’s return hadn

ppearing unwilling to par

e to the dais and seated me next to our generously proportioned

kely to fall into an easy smile, and his charcoal hair, like mine and Fathers, had been cut close to his scalp. It wasn't short enough to raise

ed, her downcast eyes lifting ever so slightly in my brothers direction before she righted it. I pressed my lips together, stifling my amusement. The poor girl, Inara was her name, would never have a chance with him. The teasing revelation of

hadn’t noticed in the dim light outside, but the softness, the open honesty of his face was gone, just like Fynn's. His hair, always too long for good taste and worn loose and wild had been

ven I barely saw it, but the tiny tug of a smile at t

e who attend them. I welcome you into my home and hope that your stay

y short and strait to the point, so for him, the welcome he'd just offered was on

bodied person drank to my father’s toast. He took his seat, the silver streaks at his temples catching in

ht not notice your bony arms but believe me, any red blooded

hing, just gave a polite smile and swallowed the first of what I deemed would end up being too many mouthfuls. There was a line

of these long rides and days spent running wild beneath the sun. You are to stay by me where I can make sure none of your duties are skimped, and

dging her as calmly as I coul

ng I did, every move, every look, every word. I let out a silent sigh. At least

red a smile. He was watching me even now, his eyes carefully guarde

e