Page 131 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
The man on whose elbow she rests her hand must be Tony’s dad. Tulane Blackwood.
The man’s imposing, his body wide and sturdy like the trunk of the huge oak outside his home. His eyes are dark green, his hair still full and dark, with a hint of silver at the temples. His features aren’t delicate or classic like his wife’s, but they’re arresting anyway. And he stands next to her protectively, although his posture is slightly tense. Nervous?
I have no recollection of him either, no gut-level emotional reaction. If we saw each other on a street, I’d walk right past him.
“Welcome home, Tony,” he says, polite and slightly cautious.
“Hello, Father.” Tony stays by my side, as though he doesn’t quite trust anybody in the room.
Something flickers in Tulane’s eyes. “Ivy.”
“Hello, Tulane.” My tone is more polite than friendly. I’m wondering if he knows about his wife’s activities and if he’s in denial. Even if he isn’t aware of her possible involvement with my accident, he has to know how she’s treated Tony over the hunting incident. Does it not bother Tulane? Make him question her character?
“Call me Lane. Everyone does.”
Even as he speaks, Margot seems to grow frailer and more tragic. Edgar pretends to not notice, subtly looking away, while Harry’s smile is growing uncomfortably bright.
And I know this was never destined to be a good dinner, even if there were no recording.
