He peered at her with a stony expression as she all but begged him not to convert. He heaved a sigh and said, “I know she loves me, and I know I risk breaking her heart… but you’re asking me to give up whatever happiness I just acquired, and to sin further.” He hitched his pant legs and then sat down across from her. “Regardless of my feelings for Katherine, I’d marry her still for the sake of not having a child out of wedlock. I count myself as lucky that we love each other.”

He steepled his fingers for a moment as he gave pause, then poured tea for himself. Before he went on, he took a sip of the brew without adding sugar or milk. “I have a duty to my child… And since you bring God into this, I’d like to point out that He’d prefer me to do the right thing by the little one, would He not?” His voice did not raise, but the look on his face certainly indicated that his dear sister had touched a nerve or two. Uriel was trying mightily not to lose his temper, yet he’d had enough of Nesah and Zech both trying to talk him out of his impending nuptials and conversion. Stupid siblings.