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Ian noanted to run through the house shouting Beth’s naaze told hilanced uncomfortably at Mrs Palelina Palmer nodded, her smile practiced She kissed Hart on his upturned lips

"Of course," she said "You know you only have to call if you need ht her hand briefly as she stood, then let his fingers drift froh the ups and downs of Hart’s life;--his brief but unhappy e, his inheritance of the dukedom, his rise to political power When Hart had decided to distance himself from her, Mrs Palmer had seelanced at Ian before she left the room Ian kept his eyes averted, but he sensed the ice-coldness of her stare and felt herfear?

She turned away and was gone

"We’ve never talked about this, have we?" Hart asked once the door closed softly

Here, five years ago, four hed and talked around a card table near the fireplace, while Ian had lounged in an ar a newspaper The nored him, which had been fine with him And then Sally had pulled a chair next to his, leaned over the arhts "Best to keep quiet about it, I always said"

Ian nodded "I agreed"

"But you told Beth all about it"

Ian wondered how Hart knew that Did he find Beth and make her tell him? Or did he have spies in Beth’s house? "If you hurt her, I’ll kill you"

"I’d never hurt her, Ian I promise you that"

"You like to hurt To control You like to see people at your feet, fighting for a chance to lick your boots" Hart’s gaze flickered "You’re not pulling your punches tonight, are you?"

"I always did what you told me because you took care of me"

"And I alill take care of you, Ian"

"Because it suits you to You always do what suits you, like Father did"

Hart’s brow clouded "I don’tat me, but don’t compare me to Father He was a cruel son of a bitch, and I hope he’s rotting in hell"

"He had rages, like the ones I get He never learned to control thehtly rubbed his temple "I don’t know I don’t know if I can ever control it But I have Curry and Beth and my brothers to helphim, are you?"

Even Ian heard the incredulous tone "Hell, no But we’re his sons; it stands to reason we’re all somewhat like hi a talk with you, not you lecturing me"