Chapter 37: Aspen, Part 3

François's expression was thunderous. "That stupid, stubborn bastard. Come on, we have to go after him."

"Where is he?"

"He's gone to see his father."

"But why? Surely his father, of all people, would understand if he could not make it."

François shook his head. "No, he wouldn't. It's...complicated. But we have to go after him. He's in no shape to deal with George today."

"I would like to, believe me, but I have to take care of Tony. Besides, the last time I ventured to Lord George's house, wholly by mistake, Gilles was ready to kill me."

"He was trying to protect you," François said, speaking so softly that Stregoni barely caught the words. "He is not the one to be afraid of in that house. Even I'm not allowed to go there with him."

Stregoni frowned. "What is going on?"

"It's not my place to say, but we need to go get him."

"As much as I want to, and believe me, I do, I cannot abandon Tony."