Tristan nodded in agreement with Douglas, though his friend spoke rather more explicitly that Tristan would have chosen to and it made him slightly uncomfortable. And then came the question about the pregnancy, something Tristan himself had been increasingly worried about. But before he could answer, Pippa had another emotional outburst.

His eyebrows knitted together when she suggested that he knew the loneliness she spoke of. That was out of line and uncalled for! Besides, he was fine, actually. He wasn't that lonely!

She ran off, and Tristan turned to Douglas. "I... am so sorry for all this, Douglas. I didn't mean for you to be confronted with... such a display of impropriety. I did explicitly say 'no followers' when I advertised the position. But I'm afraid the girl is... unstable. Ill, in a way. And she'll need protection in more than one way. I suppose..."

He shut up, because Pippa returned. Before he could see the image, Pippa dropped the pad, and Tristan picked it up on the page where she had drawn her lover. "I wouldn't call him handsome, but he doesn't look hideous to me," he commented with a critical frown. He handed the notepad to Douglas. "Do you know what kind of business he did with your father?"