“It is, too.” She met his gaze directly, gathering courage. “If we are to continue this…relationship, brief though it may be, I will not have any secrets.”

He hesitated, then sighed. “If you want to tell me, then do so.”

She took a breath, her hands fisting at her sides. “I have thought this through a hundred times until I think I finally understand what I was doing and why. I was not raised at the castle like Malcolm. Our father really had little to do with my mother once I was born.”

“He neglected her?”

“He made sure we didn’t go hungry and that we had enough to survive. But sometimes whole months would go by and we’d never see him.”

“That is sad.”

“It was hard for us both,” she agreed, “mainly because we knew he lived such a short distance away. It was especially difficult for Mama because she was the one he really rejected. I think he was always sorry he’d met her. At least, that was the impression he left us with.”

Kat spoke simply, without pain. But Devon had an idea what even that gesture had cost her. “I see,” he said, unable to think of anything better to add. He wondered if he should take her in his arms, but her next words forestalled him.

“It doesn’t hurt so much now. Once Father died, I got Malcolm.” Her face softened. “I have never regretted that trade.”

“Malcolm knew of your existence?”

“He overheard his mother telling one of the stewards that my mother and I were to be ejected from the cottage. He was only twelve, but he stepped in and demanded that we be left alone. I think he’d seen us and had guessed the truth. We have never discussed it.”

Devon smiled. “Malcolm’s stubbornness is as legendary as my determination.”

She returned his smile, her eyes warming slightly. “Determination or stubbornness? Aren’t they the same?”

“I like to use the word ‘determination’ when applied to myself, and ‘stubbornness’ when applied to others.”

He was rewarded with a quiet chuckle that made his heart ache.

“It is a flaw we three share, then,” she said. “Anyway, after Malcolm knew of our existence, he came almost every day. His mother tried to stop him, but he ignored her and…he became my brother. Whatever I needed, he has been there for me. I am ever conscious of his kindness, which makes it difficult to say him nay.”

“He can be persuasive.”

“Indeed. When I turned sixteen, my mother died. Malcolm wished me to live at Kilkairn. Against my better judgment, I did so.”

“Thus the blue room.”

“Thus the blue room,” she agreed. “He offered me one of the larger rooms, but I was uncomfortable. Besides, his mother resented me enough.”

“I begin to dislike Malcolm’s mother.”