“Oh God, you’re right!” Madame Brighthall nodded in realization. “Blasted sickness has turned my brain into mush! Bren is at a critical moment when everything he does and says is under scrutiny. If you two marry now, you’ll be dragged into the storm too, Dee!”

She smiled. “Ah, I should check if the soup’s done.”

Brendan waited until his mother had left before stating hesitantly, “Dee, about the thing between us… Can you please hide the truth from her at the moment? She hasn’t been feeling well