There was nothing for it but to obey, of course. Kylar cursed inwardly. Today was turning into a long day. He’d been hoping to get a few hours of sleep before doing his predawn chores for Master Blint. He had a good idea what this was about, so when he stepped into the count’s office, he had to try not to feel like a boy about to have his father explain sex to him.

The count hadn’t been touched by the years. He would look forty if he lived to be a hundred. His desk was in the same place, his clothes were the same cut and color, and when he was warming up to a difficult conversation he still rubbed the bridge of his nose where his pince nez sat.

“Have you made love to my daughter?” the count asked.

Kylar’s chin dropped. So much for warming up. The count watched him expressionlessly.

“I haven’t laid a hand on her, sir.”

“I wasn’t asking about your hands.”

Kylar goggled. This was the man who talked about the God as often as most farmers talked about the weather?

“No, don’t worry, son. I believe you. Though I suspect it hasn’t been for any lack of effort on Serah’s part.”

The blood rushing to Kylar’s entire face was answer enough.

“Is she in love with you, Kylar?”

He shook his head, almost relieved to be asked a question he could answer. “I think Serah wants what she thinks she can’t have, sir.”

“Does that include making love to numerous young men, none of whom is Logan?”

Kylar spluttered, “I hardly think it’s right or honorable for me to—”

The count raised a hand, pained. “Which is not the answer you would have given if you thought the charge was false. You’d have said absolutely not, and then that you didn’t think it was right or honorable for me to ask. And you’d have been right.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose and blinked. “I’m sorry, Kylar. That wasn’t fair of me. Sometimes I still use the wits the God gave me in dishonorable ways. I’m trying to do what’s right, whether or not that measures up with what men call honorable. There’s a gap between those, you know?”

Kylar shrugged, but no answer was required.

“I’m not interested in condemning my baby girl, Kylar,” the count said. “I’ve done far worse in my life than she’ll ever dream of. But more than her happiness is at stake. Is Logan aware of her . . . indiscretions?”

“I asked her to tell him, but I don’t believe she has, sir.”

“You know that Logan has asked for my permission to marry Serah?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Should I give him my blessing?”

“You couldn’t hope to gain a better son.”