As the other couple's little girl distracted them, Emmaline pinched the bridge of her nose and murmured to her husband. "What do you think, shall we tie him to a chair next time?"
"Oh, no, I don't suppose that would hold him long," Piers jested, hands clasped politely at the small of his back, looking the gentleman even as he hid his amusement so poorly. "You probably oughtn't to have taught him so many knots."
He glanced down warmly at their remaining son while his wife exasperatedly returned to appeasing their adult guests, the other two children already running out the door. "Pup, your mother and I need to ask a favor of you. Run along and find out where your brother got off to, please."
Reaching out to affectionately ruffle the boy's hair he added, "See if you can convince him to be decent to Ordhan and Eileen while you're at it, will you? They won't be leaving for days at least and that's an awfully long time to hide from us all." Piers chuckled.
"For one thing, he'll have to resort to banditry if he doesn't want to go hungry. Go on, try and find him before supper."