She wanted to scream at him, but that would help no one. ‘I do not want to come inside. I do not want to eat roast chicken with you.’

Hodge frowned. ‘Now you are being incredibly ill-mannered.’

Isabel pressed her eyes closed as she realised they had reached that part of the game. ‘If you want me to come inside the castle, you will need to let them leave.’ She opened her eyes. ‘You do not get both.’

Everard’s glare cut to her. ‘What?’

‘I echo that sentiment,’ Tolly said.

Her eyes went to him. ‘We both know what this is. It is a simple exchange.’

Gwenore’s face fell. ‘We will not leave without you.’

Naturally, Hodge remained completely silent, content to let this part play out.

‘Who do you want at your dinner table?’ Isabel asked him. ‘Me or them?’

Gwenore’s chest was rising and falling hard, and Everard looked ready to charge at Hodge.

‘If you come inside, he will never let you go,’ Everard said.

‘Do you think you will be safe here if I ride away? You are old enough to gauge what is going on here.’ Her gaze drifted to Hodge. ‘I am waiting for your reply, my lord.’

He seemed to like that, relishing in the temporary power he had been missing for so long. ‘While I shall miss their company, if they choose to leave and skip dinner, then that is their choice.’

Isabel looked tiredly at Tolly. ‘Would you please escort my mother and brother home?’

He looked understandably torn. ‘Are you sure about this?’

‘Very sure.’ Her eyes returned to Hodge. ‘Please fetch their horses.’

The earl’s lips curled up as he turned and nodded to the waiting guard.

‘Belle, no,’ Everard said. ‘I will stay instead. You take mother, and I will—’

‘He does not want you.’ Her eyes drifted up to the armed guards above. ‘You will go and take care of our mother. Do you hear me?’

He was fuming, but he must have known she was right because he did not object again.

Hodge cleared his throat. ‘Remember, Hampstead Keep is always open to you. You are welcome any time.’

‘I think their social calendar is going to be quite full moving forwards,’ Isabel said dryly.

A few tense minutes passed as they waited for the horses to arrive. Gwenore was wiping at her face, and Everard could not keep his feet still.