Before Brendan could say anything, Deirdre said smilingly, “Perhaps I might listen to the reason you didn’t come home late at night, but you need not explain about your relationship with the woman.”

Brendan felt his heart racing, and the panic in his speech could not be concealed when he said, “Deirdre?”

“That is because it’s unnecessary,” Deirdre answered swiftly. Her gaze was gentle as usual when she said, “I trust you, and I trust that your relationship with any other person is pure. I trus