“He is a danger to everyone around him.” I fought my frustration. She was obviously panicking.

“Where the hell am I going to stay? A hotel? Don’t you think that’s going to make the town talk?”

“You can stay at D’Lynsal or the palace. There is plenty of space at both.” I shrugged. “I have an apartment in town if you want to stay there.”

“I can’t just go stay at your place, Max. People will talk.” Her cheeks were pale.

“Stay at D’Lynsal. It’s only two hours from your township and we can say that it was an invitation from my sister. She won’t mind. You can say that you and Marty needed some time away from Thysmer. People will assume that it’s grief.” I reached in my pocket and pulled out my phone. “I need to call them and tell them that we’re coming there. Okay?”

“Damn it. Stop making decisions for me.” She turned away from me and I could hear her mumbling under her breath. When she turned back around, she poked me in the chest. “Fine. We’ll go to your family’s home, but you better start asking me what the hell I want. No more making decisions willy-nilly. Got it?”

“I didn’t make the decision ‘willy-nilly.’ ” Her robe had come open and I couldn’t help but notice the tops of her br**sts exposed by the tiny tank top she was wearing. Damn it, now was not the time for that shit. “I meant every word I said in there.”

A glass tumbler flew out of the door and exploded against the wall across from us. Meredith jumped and I reached out to steady her.

“I’m going to go get Marty.” She looked up at me. “It’s just going to get worse.”

She turned to leave and I reached out to grab her hand. “Meredith.”

“What?” Her eyes looked from me to the open doorway and back.

“I’m sorry.” I really was doing what I thought best. “I really am trying to help.”

“Later. We’ll talk later.” She pulled out of my grasp and took the stairs two at a time.

I turned my phone on and headed down the hall to where some of the staff were standing. Dodging the liquid and broken glass, I motioned for the staff to move back.

“I’m putting you on leave.” I held up my hand to stop questions. “You will be paid by the crown while not working until things are cleared up. Someone will contact you when it’s time to come back.”

“Sir, I’d like to stay.” The butler stepped forward.

“I think it best that you leave.” I started to turn but he cleared his throat.

“I made a promise, sir.”

“To who?”

“The late Duke of Thysmer.” He stepped forward and lowered his voice. “He requested that I make sure his son didn’t do anything to hurt himself.”

“I see.” I frowned. “It’s your decision, but I urge the rest of you to take leave until notified.”

“Yes, sir.”

I started to turn but stopped. “What is your name?”

“Gerard, sir.”

“Please keep me advised of the situation.”

“Yes, sir.” He bowed his head.

“And make sure that the rest of the staff leave.”

Taking a deep breath, I walked through the kitchen to find my bodyguard, but he was already heading in my direction.

“Sir, I heard there was a problem?”

“We’re leaving. Lady Meredith and Marty will be accompanying us. Would you please go upstairs and make sure that no one bothers them while they pack?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you.” I glanced down at my phone. Deciding that it would be easier to call, I dialed Cathy’s number and held the phone up to my ear.

“Hello?” I could hear the faint sound of the car in the background.

“Cathy, are you on your way to Thysmer?” I looked around the kitchen, while some of the staff put things away.

“Yeah. Where are you?” Her voice sounded amused.

“Thysmer.” I lowered my voice. “Go back home. I’m bringing Meredith and Marty to D’Lynsal.”

“What’s wrong?” Her voice took on the cool and calm tone our mother used when she was being careful.

“I’ll explain later.” I could hear Sam asking questions in the background. “Please.”

“Sure.” I could hear her juggling the phone as she did something. “Should I get guest rooms ready?”

“Yes.” I tapped my fingers on the counter. “And see if you can have some food made for them. They haven’t eaten.”

“Sure.” I could practically hear her begging for an explanation.

“Thanks.” I hung up the phone and tucked it back in my pocket.

“I put together some snacks. The little one wakes up starving.” The cook held out a bag to me.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, sir.” She bobbed her head and turned back to getting the kitchen cleaned.

The mess in the hallway had been cleaned up and the door shut. I climbed the stairs quickly and went straight to Marty’s room. Charles was standing just outside the door, his arms crossed and his face neutral.

Marty was sitting on his bed with a backpack while his mother shoved clothes into a small suitcase shaped like a car.

“Can I help?” I stopped in the doorway.

“I think you’ve helped enough for today.” Meredith looked up at me and blew some of the hair out of her face.