"Even when you were a human child, scaring you into submission didn't work." Carrick grumbled. "Or at least it did until you realised I wasn't actually going to abandon you in the woods for the bears to eat."
He looked at his daughter shrewdly. "You're going to be too soft with him, I can tell. Indulge a slave too much in the early days and they'll never forget it. I've always told you that a Master needs to assert one's dominance from the very beginning. The boy will thank you in the end."
His expression didn't soften,but his voice held a slightly lighter tone when he spoke again. "I would like to see what about him is making you so protective. I suppose there's no chance of a return to the days of droit du Seigneur? I promise to give hm back to you in one piece..."