Christmas was usually a solemn occasion in the Vane household, not because brother and sister did not enjoy the holiday but because it was shared with their father. Nigel was rarely explicit in his dislike for his father, but he knew Beth knew—and she disliked him even more. Fortunately their father had never a family-oriented one, so after the initial celebration the two siblings were left in the sitting room, drinks in hand and silence between them. Only for a moment.

"One of my friends has put his Bartonburg home up for rent. Offered to rent it to me for less than the asking price," he started, watching his sister closely from the couch across from her.

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