Perhaps he was being a bit childish, he mused, but he could not bring himself to face family members yet. He wandered into a wooded area, roaming around aimlessly until he finally found a fallen tree on which he sat, lost in thought, until the elongated shadows around him caught his attention. Later, when he entered the drawing room before dinner, he found the rest of the family already assembled. “Hello, everyone.” They all turned to him with concerned expressions. Melanie looked particularly distraught. “Oh, Trevor, I am so sorry,” she cried as she sprang from her chair and threw her arms around his neck. “I should never have opened my big mouth. Please forgive me.” He hugged her rather awkwardly and patted her shoulder. “It is all right, Melanie.” His voice husky, he raised his gaze to meet those of others in the room, for his next words were intended for them as well as Melanie. “You were right, Mel. I . . . I guess I was pretty self-absorbed.” She stepped back and gave him an arch look.
