, adrift in the vast, unfamili

the curtains when she finally gave up on rest. She slipped out from un

ediately wen

ressed, lying on his back, one arm flung over his eyes. His tall fr

, revealing a deep‑seated exhaustion in the faint shadows beneath his eyes. He looked less l

chest. This stranger was now the center of h

er face with cool water and slipped into a sim

e sofa on her way ba

trace of grogginess. He had not bee

in the quiet gray light of the new day. The ai

oor. He ran a hand through his dark ha

y," he said. His voic

my lord," she r

th steaming pitchers and a trolley laden with breakfast. The scent of coffe

, Adela sat at the small table set for them near the window. A few minu

eal for the first time. The only sounds w

gaze fixed on something outside the windo

y m

abrupt, cutting t

er fork pausing ha

-sharp again, ana

Caspian, or Gideon? They are y

ng it as a simple, unassailable fact. He was placing his

n a question-it was a final examination. Her answer would def

s candor w

e me what I truly needed,"

Blackwoods took in out of pity-a constant reminder of the family's shame. Any chil

n intensity that su

the house. As your wife, as the Marchioness, my position

rd slightly, her

threw me away like garbage in front of the entire world, would

the wo

ty-to correct his behavior. To discipline him. That is a power the

e was laid bare, cold a

had expected tears, perhaps, or a delicate, roun

aped him-a low, quiet chuckle. Not mir

d at her, and for the first time the coldness in his eye

o," he corrected himself, his tone now

he had used her new

an I anticipated," he s

and stood, his tall frame

band, I will not stand in the way of you ex

e a promise.