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“Can you tell me what happened?”

“I can tell you. But it’s complicated. This is a conversation best had in person.”

“Oh.” My shoulders slumped in response. “Well, will you be back in town anytime soon?” His text this morning had indicated he wouldn’t, but I hoped he’d relent and give me the explanation I wanted when he realized how long I’d have to wait.

“Not for a while,” he said. “I’ve got a busy time with work at the moment, and I’m going to be in New York for the next couple of weeks.”

I let out a sigh. “Surely you can tell me something?”

He went quiet for a moment, taking his time as he considered his response. “Only that the more distance you have from that family the better. They’re dangerous, and I don’t want you getting caught up with them.”

“Dangerous how?”

“Just... Dangerous. I promise I’ll explain in more detail as soon as I can.”

“But I know Noah’s not like that.”

Matthew slowly exhaled, and I could tell he didn’t agree with me.

“He’s not,” I insisted.

“I’d still like you to keep your distance,” my father said. His voice was calm, but I felt like he was holding back. Maybe if he wasn’t wary of my feelings, he would have given a more damning response. I got the impression he was struggling to stop himself from ordering me to never even look at Noah ever again. Matthew clearly had a very poor opinion of him.

A part of me wanted to argue with him. To try to convince him Noah wasn’t anything like his grandfather. But what would be the point? Noah had made it clear he was done with me.

“Well, that won’t be hard,” I said. “He did what his grandfather asked and broke up with me.”

“I’m sorry you’re hurting,” Matthew replied. “But I think once we’ve had a proper talk you’ll understand why it has to be this way.”

That proper talk was weeks away. Did he really expect me to sit here clueless for all that time? There had to be another way I could get the answers I needed. Clearly it wasn’t going to happen on this phone call right now.

“Have you thought any more about the other things we talked about on Saturday night?” Matthew asked.

He must have been talking about the revelations he’d made as we’d danced at the ball. About how he’d never known I existed and how he wanted to build a relationship with me.

“A little,” I admitted.

“Do you have any questions?” I could have sworn he sounded nervous.

“Not that I can think of right now, but we can talk some more about it all when you’re back in town.” If I was being honest, there were too many questions rolling around inside my head; I didn’t know where to start. He was probably right about it being easier in person.

“I’d like that,” he replied.

It felt strange to talk to Matthew like this. When I’d first met him, all he’d done was order me about. He still spoke with the same formality and rigidness, but I could clearly see he was making an effort to connect with me. Even though he hadn’t told me what I needed to know, it still felt like we were communicating better. Mom had told me to give him a chance. Perhaps I needed to listen to her advice and give him the benefit of the doubt.

Cress emerged from the bathroom, and I knew I needed to bring the conversation to an end. “Well, I should probably go and get ready for school.”

“Yes, and I have work to get back to.” He paused. “Isobel?”

“Yeah?”

“Feel free to call at any time.”

As I hung up the phone, I felt an unusual warm feeling in my chest. I hadn’t totally hated that conversation with my father. He was always going to be far too posh for my liking, and I doubted he was ever going to be the kind of dad I went to whenever I needed a heart-to-heart, but despite the fact I was still in the dark about so much, it felt something like progress.

CHAPTERSIX

There was way too much attention on me as I made my way into the dining hall for breakfast. I’d caught a few people glancing in my direction and whispering about me in the quad on the way here. But that was nothing compared to the obvious curiosity I received as I walked by people’s tables and they turned in their seats to watch me pass.