Simple Missteps
Chapter Seven
Lillian K. Rockmore

He barely had his breeches secured around his waist when a bulky man barged into the room, his silver-blonde hair reflecting the candlelight. Scott’s muscles tensed and coiled, the vision of the intruders standing in his home sending sparks of anger through his body. In truth, he was angry at himself for being stupid enough to leave the castle unsecured. His anger turned to bewilderment when Tiara ran to the man, hugging him and sobbing against his chest. Scott realized something then: these people were her parents.

The small woman with the abundant scarlet-white hair in the corner was still staring at him with daggers in her eyes and he knew that she thought the worst of him. He had no excuse for what he had done to Tiara; the brunt of his sins was his to bear. And he knew what he had to do.

He addressed the man who has holding Tiara as though she were a delicate doll, stroking her hair and murmuring to her. "Could we step out for a minute, sir?"

Wolvermonte looked up at the giant of a man, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. If that man had laid a hand on his baby, Wolf would have killed him right then. But Tiara seemed unhurt, her features as bright as ever. In fact, Wolf mused, she looked more like a young woman now. Glowing in the depths of her eyes was a knowledge of the world that he’d never seen in Tiara ever before. He sighed, running his hand through her hair once more before passing Tiara to the arms of her mother.

Then, he motioned for Scott to lead the way.

Scott nearly led him to the study, but changed his mind once he imagined what shambles the room might be in after last night. Instead, he ushered the man to the balcony where the morning sun was rising against the dark horizon.

The question was put forward in such a direct manner that Scott started, his breathing quickening. He considered lying for a moment, but realized that the man would find out the truth soon enough.

He waited for a punch, even an assault, but nothing came.

"Do you have any honorable intentions toward her?" the man asked, his eyes focused on something in a distance.

Marry Tiara? Scott was silent for a moment, debating his options. Her words from the night before came back to haunt him.

He kept telling me that this was my chance to lead a noble life, even if I didn't love the man. I believe in love you see...

Yes, she believed in love, believed in marrying for love.

She would have told him so if she had. An empty ache gripped his heart, squeezing it like a clenched fist. If he said yes