Page 522 of Lodestar

“You’re clearly not sorry so why apologize?” Aela retorted.

“Because I didn’t know I’d ever be sitting down for afternoon tea with my sister-in-law who I happened to…” I paused. “I didn’t mean to hurt Inessa. Just Eoghan.”

Savannah snorted at that, but her gaze was amused—she was used to me being the cat among the pigeons.

I figured she was mostly glad that, in this instance, she wasn’t in any danger of getting bitten.

“Does Eoghan know?” Aoife inquired, her tone serene.

“He does, but I didn’t apologize to him if that makes it any better,” I directed at Inessa who Camille was gently trying to encourage to sit down again.

Aoife flashed a look between us. “I think we need to let bygones be bygones.”

“When she says ‘we,’ she means ‘you,’ Inessa,” Aela drawled.

Inessa huffed, but her gaze turned thoughtful. “Eoghan offered to change our furniture after that night.”

That wasn’t off topic. Much.

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I asked warily.

“Good. And we came to an agreement as well after everything. I suppose…” Her brow furrowed. “It goes against the grain to say this, but I should thank you.

“Our honeymoon was odd and you probably helped because he was apologetic when, otherwise, he could have been…difficult.”

“Don’t thank me,” I said honestly. “I’m glad that my actions changed the course of things for you though.”

She graced me with a regal nod, but her dislike of me had outweighed her fear.

I found that I didn’t mind. Even if, moments before, I’d been amused by her anxiety around me.

Aoife, clearing her throat, remarked, “I learned that Lena has moved into your building, Star. Savannah.”

“How did you find out?” Aela inquired as she jiggled Cameron on her knee.

“Overheard Finn and Aidan talking about it.”

“I had to help her with her kitchen,” Savannah said with a huff. “Star was useless, of course.”

“Of course,” I agreed easily, though my gaze darted between the women as I tried to figure out where Aoife was going with this.

First a mention of Dagda, now Lena?

I’d attended enough Saturday night dinners at her place to know that her MIL was not a topic of conversation to be discussed in front of Aoife.

“Why did she leave the estate?”

“Why didn’t you ask Finn?” Inessa queried, her tone softer.

“Because we rarely talk about her. I know he doesn’t want to hurt me but…” She sucked in a breath. “Finn hurts too. She’s the only real mother he’s ever had.”

“Shame she’s a murderous bitch,” Aela grumbled as she resettled Cameron on her lap.

Aoife carefully placed her cup down on the table. “I don’t think she’s murderous. A bitch, yes, but not murderous. That implies she wants to go on a killing spree. Even I know the Lena of today isn’t the Lena of… back then.”

Aela frowned. “Is Finn still taking Jake to see her?”

“Yes. That’s why Finn was discussing things with Aidan. He needed to know where to visit her.”

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