He did it slowly, transferring Gemma’s weight to his hip, and he turned around, and whatever was in his face made Sabina Vance take her hand off him and step backward on her own.

“Don’t touch me,” he said.

“Don’t touch me again, and don’t say another word in front of my daughters.”

“Chadworth—”

“Rosamund.” He did not raise his voice.

“Would you take the girls into the kitchen, please.

Close the door.”

“Yes, sir.”