Page 211

“What. Did. You. Tell. Him?”

Father doesn’t answer. Instead, he selects another chunk of venison.

“Tell me.”

He continues eating, and my temper spikes, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose control.

After a few seconds, he lays his knife and fork together.

“Are you still playing with the Tallon girl?”

“I’m not playing,” I tell him. “I asked her to marry me.”

Mother lowers her glass, and the smile on my father vanishes. His chest rises and falls as if he’s trying to keep himself in check, then he clears his throat.

The prongs of his fork spear a potato as an almost imperceptible smile appears before he glances at the grandfather clock. “I wonder if she’ll still want to marry you after tonight.”

My heartbeat begins to drown out the room. “What the hell have you done?”

He reaches for his wine and takes an unhurried sip before he sets the glass next to his plate.

“You’ve always had one flaw, Fionn.”

I don’t blink.

“You think a father should be kind. Lessons are what make real men.”

I lean across the table and glare at him. If this bastard wasn’t my father, I’d punch his fucking teeth out. “I asked you a question.”

“And I’m answering it.”

“No, you’re avoiding it with your sanctimonious bullshit.”

“You’ve spent months risking your inheritance for a Tallon.”

“Sera has nothing to do with this.”

“Doesn’t she?”

“Leave her out of it.”

“I would have,” he says evenly. “Had you done the same.”

The room suddenly becomes too warm.

My pulse pounds against my throat and my shirt collar tightens. “What’s Lorcan planning?”

Father shrugs. “To avenge his mother, of course. In whatever way he thinks is deserving.”

I stare at him, certain I’ve misheard. “What has Black Heath Stud got to do with my aunt?”

“That isn’t the question you should be asking.”

“Then what is?”

“Whether you’ll get there in time.”

Every muscle in my body locks.