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“And this, of course, is Alyssa.”
“Your Highness.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, child.”
“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”
Felix chuckled. “Very polite. Hardly anyone would realize you had avoided saying it was a pleasure to meet me, too.”
Lucas’s arm curled around her waist. “Grandfather,” he said softly, “Alyssa’s been through a great deal.”
“I understand, mi hijo. If I were she, I would not feel kindly toward me, either.”
“I mean no disrespect, sir, but—”
“But, if I were not plugged into all these infernal devices, you would look me in the eye and tell me just what you think of an old man who had the audacity to meddle in your life. That’s the truth, girl, is it not?”
Alyssa took a deep breath. “I would tell you that you and Aloysius did some things you shouldn’t have done.”
Felix looked pointedly at how she stood, Lucas’s arm tightly around her, their bodies lightly brushing.
“And yet,” he said softly, “it all seems to be working out well.”
“That isn’t—”
“The point. I know.” He grinned at Lucas. “Aloysius told me his daughter had spirit and he was right.”
“Grandfather.” Lucas cleared his throat. “Are you well enough to discuss this? Because if you are—”
“Aloysius also said she was pretty. He was wrong. She is beautiful.”
Lucas felt Alyssa tense. He knew she couldn’t be happy to be talked about as if she were not in the room.
“Sturdy, too. Good conformation. Good hips. Excellent for childbearing.”
Alyssa’s face turned crimson. “Grandfather,” Lucas said sternly, “I will not permit you to—”
“My apologies. I simply meant it is good to see my old friend’s recommendations were valid.”
“Yes, grandfather, I’m sure it is, but—”
“He said the girl would make you a perfect wife, mi hijo, and he was correct.”
Alyssa looked up at Lucas. “I think,” she said carefully, “it’s best if I wait outside.”
“No!” His arm tightened around her. “Damn it, grandfather! What in hell are you trying to do?”
“Why, Lucas, mi hijo, you almost sound as if you care for the girl.”
“I do care for her.” Lucas’s tone softened. “I care for her very much. Too much to let you embarrass her.”
“Is that what I’m doing, child? What became of that spirit we just discussed?”
“We didn’t discuss anything, Your Highness. So far, you’ve done all the talking.”
“Ah. See? It’s there. The spirit. My old friend, Aloysius, described you with unerring accuracy.”
“Aloysius,” Alyssa said tightly, “didn’t know a damned thing about me!”
