“I don’t think you’re the only one.” Cathy smirked at her brother, and I wondered if they had forgotten I was sitting there.

“What are shackles?” Marty asked.

Everyone at the table turned to look at him.

“Back in the old days, they were used to keep prisoners from escaping.” Max kept his eyes glued to mine. “Nowadays they are mainly just for show.”

“Like the suits of armor?” Marty hopped out of his seat.

“Just like that.” Max smiled. “But if your mom would like I could look to see if we have any that are in good shape.”

“Thanks, but that’s not necessary.” I stood up and set my napkin on the table.

“Thanks for the food.” Marty smiled at Samantha and Cathy. Much to my surprise he folded himself in half to perform a little bow.

“You’re very welcome, sir.” Cathy bowed her head in return.

We left the dining room and walked through a large sitting room. For being such a big space, it had a homey feel that I appreciated.

“We put you guys in the family wing. I hope you don’t mind.” Max led us up a flight of stairs.

“Worried we might sneak away?” I raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“Everything wakes up Sam nowadays. She’s like our alarm system.” Max smiled back at me, but I could see something worried in his eyes. “I really hope you will stay at D’Lynsal.”

I didn’t say anything, just kept walking. I might joke about him having kidnapped us, but I knew that he had done what he thought best. It wasn’t like he had forced us into the car with him. If I pushed to go somewhere else, he wouldn’t stop me. And going back to Thysmer was completely out of the question at this point anyway.

“This is Marty’s room.” Max pushed open a door and Marty bounded through.

“Awesome.” My son flew straight to the TV to check out the game consoles.

“No games until I see what they are.” Just because we weren’t at home didn’t mean he was going to play a game not rated for him.

I looked around the room and nodded. It was similar to the one Marty had at Thysmer. A large bed, a desk and chair, a wardrobe. The only difference was that everything felt much newer than at Thysmer.

“This will work great.” I smiled over at Max, hoping to show him that I really was okay with the accommodations.

“Good.” He leaned against the door frame.

“Can I play, Mom?” Marty looked up at me with big eyes. “They have the new Turbo Man.”

“Is that the space one?”

“Yes! You fly your ship around the galaxy and kill bad guys.” He folded his hands together. “Please?”

“I guess so.” I frowned. “But you need to play outside some too.”

“I will! I brought my football.” He shrugged out of his backpack and held it up.

“I bet Cathy would play with you if you asked.” Max smiled. “She’s a great player.”

“Really? Maybe I should go ask her now.” Marty looked excited. “Before she gets busy.”

“You’re going to give up on Turbo Man?” Shock widened my eyes.

“Well, I might as well play while it’s nice outside.” He shrugged, but there was red in his cheeks.

“She’s probably still in the dining room. Do you remember how to get there?” Max pushed off from the wall while Marty wrestled his ball out of his bag.

“Yeah.” He threw the mostly empty bag on the bed.

“Can I go, Mom?” He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and I frowned.

“I guess so.” He tore off down the stairs and I stuck my head out of the room. “Come find me if she’s busy.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I looked up at Max and shook my head. “He’s been begging me for that game for weeks. I can’t believe he gave it up to play football.”

“Never underestimate the effect of a pretty girl on a guy.” Max’s eyes traveled over my face and landed on my mouth. “It’s a powerful thing.”

“But he’s only six.” I took a deep breath.

“I was five when I fell madly in love with the head housekeeper.” Max smiled. “I followed her around folding towels.”

“You did not.” I laughed.

“I did.” He reached out and touched the hair next to my face. “She was Irish. Red hair, blue eyes, and didn’t let me get away with anything.”

I didn’t say anything, just watched as he examined my face.

“I guess I have a type that I prefer.” His smile was slow and lazy.

“Well, good thing I’m not Irish.” The words came out softly, as if I hadn’t been able to find much force to say them with.

“Three out of four isn’t bad.” He chuckled and tugged on my hair. “C’mon. Let me show you your room.”

“Okay.” I swallowed and followed after him. My eyes dipped down to his rear and I couldn’t help but appreciate the way his jeans cupped his nice ass.

“This one is yours.” He opened the door and stood back so I could enter.

The room was huge, and that was saying a lot. Where Thysmer Manor had preserved the past, D’Lynsal was incredibly modern. The room was a soft gray color; the furniture was all white except for the large four-poster bed, which was ebony. Fresh flowers filled the room and I found myself wanting to climb into the soft-looking comforter. This was the room of a princess. Absolutely decadent.