Chapter 17: Call more, or I'll look down on you

Ander Yale was taken aback. "Madam, what virtue do I have, that you'd want to swear siblings with me?" June Hauk snorted. "Stop looking for excuses. Yes or no?" Ander fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Madam, you must have learned my background from Old Scull." "I'm not anyone remarkable-just a live-in son-in-law of the Juggins family." "And you're Zerton's richest and most successful. Swearing brother-sister with me would only cheapen your status." Liliana Hauk blurted anxiously,...