Daphne smiled faintly at his sudden flurry of questions. "I'm fine. A little tired, but fine. The baby troubles me sometimes, but nothing I can't bear."
A flicker of helplessness flashed through his gaze. "I don't like that it troubles you at all," he muttered.
She squeezed his hand. "That's part of it, Alaric. You can't fight this battle for me."
Silence stretched between them until she spoke again, hesitantly. "I was thinking… perhaps tomorrow, I could visit Thomas Manor. To tell my sisters. To share the news."
Immediately, his expression hardened. "No."
Her brows lifted, caught off guard by the sharpness of his refusal. "Alaric…"
"No," he repeated. "You will not go. Not now."
She sat straighter, trying to steady her voice. "They are my family. They deserve to know. They've worried so much…"
"They will survive their worry," Alaric cut in. "I will not have you parading into their house with this news. Not yet."
"Why?" she pressed, her eyes searching his.
