Grouchiness? When was he ever grouchy? The teasing smile did little to alleviate the injury. He was kind and patient and understanding. A good doctor and alienist. Right? Right?

Perhaps he frowned to much. Tristan instantly tried to drop his frown, but it took such effort that it made him frown.

"I doubt people would believe I was the father anyway," he stated, trying to smile, but he was still frowning over being called grouchy and so he looked grouchy. "Anyway, marrying for convenience is hardly an alternative, Pippa. You might be off worse. A friend of mine married a girl in your state, though neither loved the other, and now they are both miserable. And that's because they don't get along. It could be worse. You could end up with someone who mistreats you, someone violent, or someone who drinks or gambles..."