I turned to Landy in surprise, an excuse on the tip of my tongue, but fell quiet when I saw his expression. He wasn't looking at me, nor was he watching Imogen. His eyes held fast to something in the distance, an invisible form dancing in the firelight.

"I miss her greatly," he said. "Every day."

"Who?" I asked softly.

Landy shook himself. "Nobody. How come you're so nosy? Can't an old man ramble to himself cryptically?"

I started to apologize, then realized he was ...