Chapter 59: A Carrot and a Stick: Young Master Farrell's Pledge of Loyalty

The second half of dinner passed in an uncanny hush. Aunt never mentioned matchmaking or Mason again. She even lowered her voice by several notches, as if afraid to disturb something. Uncle kept his head down and ate. Every so often, he raised his glass to River Lyson, holding it lower than the tabletop and barely letting the rims touch. After the initial shock wore off, Mandy's mother slowly collected herself. She hardly touched her food, keeping her eyes on River instead. The critical scrutiny...