"I asked him to accompany me there!" Ashelia exclaimed in a defensive tone, almost springing up from her chair.
"Ashelia!" The Duke's voice boomed, making her stiffen. "I said you shall not speak unless spoken to!"
His command echoed for the second time, forcing her to sink back into her chair like she wanted to disappear.
Duke Alistair directed his gaze towards the Knight before him, trying to gauge his words. "You took her there?"
"Yes." Edward paused for a moment before he answered.
"She did not persuade you to do so?"
The Knight shook his head. "No, she did not," he stated firmly.
There was a long silence in the room as the Duke moved his attention to his daughter, studying her slightly horrified expression for a moment before turning back to the kneeling Knight.
He had to be sure that Edward wasn't taking all the blame to protect his infuriatingly impulsive offspring.
