“Therefore I am sure you will understand that sometimes we as parents have to steer our children away from certain . . . projects that aren’t a good use of their particular . . . talents.”

“Mother,” Sebastien scolded his mother. And, oh, he pushed back his chair and stood. “Please.”

Dani was surprised. She expected Max to defend her, as he seemed to be spoiling for a fight, but to hear it told, Sebastien’s usual approach to family strife was to try to keep the peace. She looked at Max, who, judging by his raised eyebrows, was also taken off guard by Sebastien’s outburst.

“Please, what?” the duke asked, sneering at Sebastien, who now seemed unsure how to proceed. “Is your mother offending your tender sensibilities, boy?”

“I . . .” It seemed like Sebastien’s outburst had been impulsive and uncharacteristic enough that he had backed himself into a corner. He didn’t know what to say next.

Max did, though. “Sebastien,” he said, drawing everyone’s attention along with his brother’s, and oh. Max was angry. Not that she’d really ever seen him angry, but it was easy to tell. His normally relaxed posture had grown hard. His face was hard, too, like someone had battened down a pair of shutters that usually stood open to let the sun in. Ironically, he was going to make a good duke someday, with his ability to express extreme emotions with small, restrained adjustments to his body and face. “Sebastien,” he said again. “Daniela and I are finished dining, but I need to have a word with Frau Bittner on my way out.” He sounded a little like his father, oddly, each word carefully enunciated and gilded with ice. “Perhaps you would be so kind as to escort Daniela back to the cottage.”

Chapter Fifteen

“Max!”

Max groaned as he stopped walking. He was almost free. But of course it was not to be.

It was Lavinia, which was an unexpected turn of events, emerging from around the corner after Max finished informing Frau Bittner that Dani was his guest and that as such, he would apprise the staff of any arrangements that were required. He disliked putting her in an awkward position, but he wasn’t letting his mother’s vile little domestic coup go unchecked.

“Max.” Lavinia was breathless as she hurried to his side. She had to have been lying in wait to intercept him like this. God. He just wanted to get out of there.

“I’m sorry about all that,” he said, gesturing vaguely back toward the dining room.

“No, I’m sorry,” Lavinia said. “I had no idea you didn’t know we were coming. I’m mortified.”