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face. “If Madame Lallement is indisposed, we should return with your friends to East Preston.”
    Adam had previously mentioned Lady Lallement’s temperament. If she was as rude as her sons, he had no wish to ever go to Kingston Gorse.
    “Please, we insist,” Vincent reiterated.
    Denis evidently did not scowl hard enough at Adam. With a shrug, his brother agreed to accompany the Lallements to Kingston Gorse.
    ~~~
    As they neared his home, Vincent’s guts were in knots. Lucien’s face betrayed the same worry. A dwarf! Their mother would faint dead away.
    But what of Paulina? Should he smuggle her down from the hidden chambers to meet this miniature knight? What if she was repulsed by his features? Denis de Sancerre might be the right height for his tiny sister, but he was not a handsome man, though his bearing was dignified and noble. He certainly looked strong for all he lacked stature.
    And what ailed Adam de Montbryce? He seemed detached, ignoring most of the idle chatter Vincent and Lucien directed his way. It was irritating that the dwarf kept repeating everything they said.
    Montbryce had always been an outgoing fellow. Now he appeared lost in thought, morose. Had someone dear to him died?
    “Are you well, Adam?” Vincent ventured.
    Montbryce glanced up at him sharply, then at Sancerre. “Forgive me, Vincent. I have been ill. My malady affected my hearing. I am slowly learning how to discern what people say by watching their mouths, but I am not yet proficient in the skill.”
    “Forgive me. I will try to speak more clearly. My father often complains I mumble.”
    Deaf!
    Vincent’s heart leapt into his throat. A man who was deaf might not care if his wife was mute.
    But how to ensure Montbryce and Rosamunda met? It would be a challenge persuading their mother to allow a dwarf to remain under her roof. A thousand possibilities swirled in his mind. Lucien too seemed lost in thought. If only they’d had some foreknowledge of these incredible events.
    A stable boy took the reins of the four horses in the courtyard of Kingston Gorse. He seemed unable to take his eyes off Denis de Sancerre. Lucien glared at him as he motioned the visitors to the entryway of the manor.
    Adam had removed his gloves and was swatting the dust from his boots. “I hope your mother is sufficiently recovered. I wish to thank her for sending us our new cook.”
    Vincent’s heart fell. If his mother learned he and Lucien had finagled to get Friselle away from the oppressive kitchens of Kingston Gorse, there would be hell to pay.
    Lucien cleared his throat loudly as Maudine Lallement’s voice echoed off the stone floor of the entryway. “Lucien? Vincent? Why are you home already? I thought—”
    Adam and Denis both bowed as she came into view. The colour drained from her face when she saw Denis.
    Lucien rushed to take her hand as she swayed. “ Maman , you remember Adam de Montbryce from East Preston. And may I introduce—”
    Maudine Lallement stood mere inches from Adam de Montbryce. If he had not already been deaf, the strident shriek that emerged from her throat would have rendered him so. The screeching went on and on as she pointed a quivering finger at Denis.
    Vincent had lived with his mother’s eccentricities his whole life, but shame washed over him as the depth of her madness dawned on him. He strode to help his brother restrain her as she tried to sweep Denis from the house. “Get it out! Get that evil goblin out of my home.”
    Marc Lallement appeared. “What is going on?”
    His mouth fell open when he espied Denis.
    Sweat trickled down Vincent’s spine as he and his brother struggled with his demented parent. Their father seemed rooted to the spot where he stood. “ Maman is unwell. Please summon her maid to her chamber.”
    They strong-armed her up the stairs, still shrieking. Vincent looked down at the entryway. His father had disappeared, leaving Adam de Montbryce and Denis de Sancerre to stare at the scene on