Protect. He wanted to protect the child. And her, she thought with a faint smile. She blinked the moisture from her eyes and nodded. "What was it you wanted to ask?"
"If something were to happen," he paused to eye her and make sure she didn't interrupt, "would your father take you under his protection?"
She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again. She honestly didn't know. She thought a moment then spoke her thoughts plainly, unsure of what else to say. "I...don't know. My first thought was to say yes...but a second later, I wasn't as sure. If..." she hated to voice the words, but pressed on, "if I were a wife...and widowed, and with no father-in-law to claim me, then I do not doubt it. It would be his duty. But...I am not that, so I don't know where I stand."
"Even if I were a
