She arched an eyebrow. Will wonders never cease?

The baby had thrown him. William hadn't known that he was going to touch the thing until he had done it. He had felt pity for the poor withered creature and that very same pity had made him, on impulse, try and comfort it. Well, this was not a mistake he was going to repeat again. After he had patted the baby on the head, it had tried to eat his hand.

Tamara swore that it was only trying to lick him, but he knew damn well that it was gunning for a bit of William-hand breakfast. Even if the inn was homey, their beds soft and inviting, and Mrs. Gilroy's cooking heavenly, William was loath to spend any more time than absolutely necessary in Blackbriar village. He hoped that they could solve their mystery quickly and with as little bother as possible, and then be on their way.