Meaganne regretted saying the words as soon as they left her mouth. She was trapped here and this would only make things worse.

The insult seemed to pierce the thick lord, paralyzing him in mid stride. After a single breathless moment, Renn rounded on her snarling like a wounded animal, “I know I am ugly but at least do me the courtesy of saying so after I leave. Have you no manners at all?”

Meaganne felt her face flush with embarrassment. She inclined her head more as an excuse to avoid looking at Renn than as a show of respect. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-”

He cut her off. “I have eyes. I know what is said about me. Nothing can change what I am.” He turned away sharply, shoulders sagging. “Tell everyone- tell them I will take dinner in my study tonight. Alone.”

“You don’t have to-”

Without looking back, Renn threw one hand up over his head. He raised his voice as he walked away, letting the words bounce off the tawny stone walls. “This will prevent at least one of us from looking like fools tonight.”