Dad Hears My Thoughts novel · Chapter 4 of 32

Chapter 4: Sundown at Harcourt House

I took my good shawl off the hook before the porters were out of sight.

"Get your cloak," I said.

Tristram didn't move. "He won't see me. He said so in front of the King."

"He doesn't have to see you. He has to see her."

"You don't know my grandfather."

"I know he's old and he has no great-grandchildren. The whole street knows that."

The baby bounced on his arm and blew a wet noise.

He listened, and his mouth twitched.

"She says she wants to go see the old man," he said. "She says she's very charming."

"See? She agrees with me."

Harcourt House sat on the top of the hill with every window lit for dinner.

The steward at the door knew Tristram's face and shut the door on it.

I put my boot in the gap.

"Tell His Grace his great-granddaughter is in the hall," I said.

The steward stared at the baby.

Then he stepped back.

The dining hall was long and hot, with a fire at each end and thirty candles down the table.

The Duke sat at the head in cream and gold. White hair, white beard, eyes like old ice.

Ralph sat at his right hand in Tristram's old chair.

Beside Ralph was a woman in a gold gown cut low, with pearls in her piled dark hair.

I knew her from the broadsheets. Lady Honoria Deverell.

Until yesterday, Tristram's betrothed.

She looked at him once, then away.

"Your Grace," Tristram said. He stopped three paces from the table and didn't bow. "I'm not here for myself."

"Then why are you here at all?" the Duke said.

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