Just thinking about it made his skin hot. “Selena said Breanna wants—That Falco wants—That I’m—” He rammed his fingers through his hair and curled them into fists. “She called me a jackass.”

Donovan settled back in his chair and stretched out his legs again. “It’s no more Lady Selena’s business than it is mine, but if I’ve translated that sputtering correctly, I have to agree with her.”

“What?”

“To answer your first question, yes, Gwenn and I were lovers before we married. And her brothers made my life a misery while I was trying to get to that point.”

The pain of pulling his own hair slowly cleared Liam’s mind. He lowered his arms. “How did you get around it?”

“I finally invited her to go for a long ride one afternoon, took her to my house, and scandalized my servants by taking her up to my room, locking the door, and spending the day in bed with her. We had quite a few long rides between the sheets after that—until the night we had a storm and I insisted that she stay overnight since I didn’t want her riding out in that weather, even if I was escorting her home. Her brothers showed up bright and early the next morning. A little too early. The House of Gaian may have more leniency when it comes to legal contracts, but they’re far stricter than any blustering gentry father when it comes to heart loyalty. Gentry men have indulged themselves often enough that the Sons of Gaian don’t always respond with enthusiasm when a man who isn’t one of their own looks toward one of the Daughters.”

Fascinated now, Liam eased a hip onto the corner of his desk. “What did you do?”

Donovan grinned. “Told them if they gave me a few more days, I’d convince Gwenn to marry me. Took me a little longer than I’d expected to win her family over to the idea, me being a baron and fine husband material, but in the end, I got the woman who owned my heart.”

Liam looked away. “This isn’t the same thing.”

“For you? Or for Breanna?”

He felt the heat rising in his face and cursed softly.

“Liam…” Donovan shook his head. “Breanna is a grown woman. She’s not someone whose head will be turned by flattery or florid phrases whispered in the moonlight. We’re prejudiced about the Fae. You know we are. We expect them to seduce women, enjoy them, and then leave. But I don’t think Falco is going to leave. You see a man who wants to have sex with your sister. I see a man whose eyes light up whenever he sees her. I’m not saying you should actively do anything, I’m just saying you shouldn’t stand in the way.”

“I wasn’t aware that I was,” Liam muttered.