"You really think Rosemary is that sort, huh?"
"Yes…No! I didn't mean her, exactly. I meant my friend, Sophia -'
"Why is it that when you tell the truth, it just flows out of you and there is no stopping it, but when the truth becomes a bit much you start falling all over your words?"
"Those things I said . . . well . . . they really aren't true of Rosemary -"
"Oh, my indeed but they are," Dominic said with a quiet chuckle, catching a wry look from his mother. "I have on numerous occasions explained to Rosemary that I will not tolerate such behavior in a wife, and that I would go so far as to divorce the woman who deceitfully counters my will."
"Sophia received many such warnings before she was married." Alannah protested before catching herself once more. "I am sorry - I will stop talking! I keep saying all the wrong things. Will you excuse me, please? There are things I really should be doing."
"Wait," Dominic said as he pulled something out of his pocket. I want you to have this, it was my Grandmothers. It gave her a sense of security when she left home, and right now you need to know that you are safe here." Dominic placed a necklace around her neck, it was a simple cross. As he placed the necklace around her neck he kissed the back of her neck, softly and he whispered "I love you Alannah, I will keep the monsters away."