Brendan's eyes fell on the woman's pale face and then on her frozen red hands. "You're mad?" he said. "I thought you had already returned to your room."

Deirdre felt resentment and helplessness welling up in her heart. "Brendan, stop pretending. I don't believe you didn't know I was in the study. You purposely didn't come here. You left me alone on purpose."

Brendan's eyes remained calm, and he didn't bother to refute her.

"I'm glad you recognize that. I did it to teach you a lesson. Otherwis