"Narelle, you've come and you've been seen. When are you planning to go back?"
I stared at him, stunned. Then I laughed.
"You mean you want me to take our daughter back to that miserable hovel and keep waiting, day after day, for you to come get us?"
Finn's brow furrowed, a shadow of irritation crossing his face.
"I told you, when the time is right I'll bring you both home. The time isn't right yet."
"I know this manor looks grand, but there are a lot of people living here. There really isn't a spare room for you and Hilda. Once the side residence is renovated, I'll send for you..."
I cut him off, my voice flat and cold. "Give it up."
"My daughter and I have stripped nearly every wild plant off that hillside. Then the floods came, and even the refugees can't find food. We were on the verge of starving to death. I wouldn't take her back to that place if you made me a servant in this house."
It was laughable, really. The manor had dozens of courtyards, crawling with maids and servants.
And Finn claimed he couldn't spare a single room for his own wife and daughter. Did he truly think I was that stupid?