“I see,” Ash says. “And what are Kit’s gnomes?”
“Oh, just common gnomes.”
“What were you doing upstairs?” I ask.
“Having a chat,” Dad says cryptically.
Rowan meets my eyes, swallowing. He looks like he’s been through a battle.
But it must have been a productive “chat” because Dad clasps his shoulder with manly affection and then turns toward the tea garden. “I’d like to check one last thing, and then we can go.”
“It looks like you’re all set here,” Ash says to me, not wanting to stick around for whatever this is. “I’m going to leave as well.”
“Thanks for your help.”
He nods, showing himself to the door. As soon as he’s gone, Rowan turns to me, widening his eyes.
“What happened?” I whisper, looking around him to make sure Dad is still in the garden.
“You know that conversation we had with my aunt earlier?”
“Yes…”
“Apparently, your dad had just come in from the tea garden and overheard the whole thing.”
I gasp. “All of it?”
“All of it.”
“Even the part about the bond?” I’m going to pass out.
Rowan looks haggard. “Even the part about the bond.”
I sink into a chair. “What a mess. I’m sorry you had to navigate that on your own.”
“It’s all right. I made it out alive.”
I laugh despite myself. “I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of myself, too.”
“What are you doing this evening? Do you want to join us for dinner again?”
“I’d rather stand in the middle of the tearoom and sing ballads to our customers tomorrow.”
I grin. “You can do that too, if you’d like.”
“I have magic to research tonight. I promised your father I would do everything in my power to set you free.”
I want to argue with his word choice, but I have a more pressing question. “Speaking of magic, did your aunt really pay your tuition?”
Rowan sighs. “I haven’t called, but I imagine she did.”
“Does that mean…” I don’t dare get my hopes up.
He raises a brow, knowing what I’m asking. “That I can stay here with you and visit the college once or twice a week?”
Holding my breath, I nod.
