We stood there for a long time, it seemed, until I was sure she’d calmed down. I did a lot of reassuring as she seemed to need it no matter what she said, and when it came time to go to bed, I had a bit of a dilemma. I wanted her, no surprise there, I always want her, but I was very aware that her mother was now in a room down the hall, not to mention the fact that Starks was still in the house, yet another hiccup I wasn’t expecting.

I gritted my teeth and prepared to bear it, but ...