"I never hurt her!" he called back at the preposterous claim. Bloody right he didn't want to play this part! He also didn't want his wife to run wild, and he knew from experience that she could not be trusted. But both the ladies and Tristan called his attention to Alice's state. She did look frightened. Well, then why had she done it in the first place!? He didn't want to be the mean husband. But it would be real nice if she behaved like a wife and mother!

"Fine! Then go with your family, Alice! Not with them!" He had begun to dislike Ben as well, but at least he wouldn't corrupt her, and he'd know where she was.