Cold Reception

As Tristan and I walked in, Alistair set down the papers he was holding and looked up.

I was startled by the way he looked at me, and that strange flutter in my chest came back again.

Tristan frowned, his voice full of concern. "Uncle Alistair, did you catch a cold?"

The butler standing nearby chimed in, "A few days ago, Alistair came back and took a few cold showers."

Alistair shot the butler a s