“You put it much nicer than I did.” I sniffed, leaning into him for a hug, which he obliged by circling his arms around me. “You didn’t see Daddy when he left. He just packed a bag and went and he’s not answering my calls or texts.”

“Is there anyone you can call to see if they know where he is?”

I shook my head against his chest.

“What about Alexander?”

Right.

My cousin.

He was there when it all happened.

“Do you want me to text him?”

“Since when do you have his number?” I leaned back and looked up. “What are you, best friends?”

“Best friends is somewhat of an exaggeration,” Miles replied. “But we’re relatively good friends. We exchanged numbers at the hotel after I said I liked chess.”

I blinked at him.

Did I tell him my cousin was basically a grandmaster?

No.

I’d let him find out by himself.

At least I didn’t have to play him anymore. Silver linings and all that.

“Right,” I said slowly. “Um, I guess. That’s the only place I can think he might go. Aunt Elizabeth is his sister. She’s used to dealing with him and Aunt Cat when they argue.”

“All right. Why don’t you sit down? I’ll bring you a glass of wine and text Alex. Okay?”

“Should I apologise to her?”

“Sit.” Miles released me and spun me around, then forced me to sit on his sofa. “No, you should not apologise to her yet. Let her calm down. It’s been an emotional twenty-four hours for everyone.”

“Speak for yourself. All other things aside, I just discovered my aunt has had more sex in the last month than I have in the past two years. Talk about stressful.”

Miles stilled, then a grin spread across his face. “I can help with that.”

I tried to admonish him, but the only thing that came out was a laugh. “Didn’t you just say something about wine?”

“Yeah, yeah. Let me get that, then I’ll text Alex and have a shower.” He paused and raised his eyebrows. “I don’t suppose you’ll join me?”

“If I haven’t had sex in two years, doing it standing up in a shower is just going to end up with me needing an x-ray. Also, this is me you’re talking to. I twisted my ankle in a puddle.”

“That is an excellent point. All right, then. I’ll just wander about in a towel until you can no longer resist me.”

“You think very highly of yourself, sir.”

“Someone has to.” He grinned and walked into the kitchen. He returned moments later with a glass of wine, kissed my forehead, and disappeared again.

I curled up in the corner of his sofa. It was desperately comfortable, and I would be quite happy to stay here all night. I took a sip of the wine and reached for my phone when it buzzed.

ADELAIDE: AUNT CAT SHAGGED THE BUTLER?

I really hated that turn of phrase.