I nodded in agreement.

"The Huffman family lacks culture," Anson admitted frankly.

It dawned on me why he regarded Jared differently. Jared was both scholarly and martially adept, yet also strong-willed.

Anson continued, "But I overestimated him. He picked up vulgar habits from those underlings but behaved obediently in front of me. Some of my trusted men saw through him, and though I was aware, I didn't allow them to gossip.

"He was never cut out for studying. He caused trouble at school an