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AndI’d learn to love our husband so I’d learn to endure Vaughn as well

"Oh, it just destroyed her She was never the same after that," Deirdre continues "She had her own doirl around rehter she would have had Eventually she convinced House Governor Linden to have her sold off She couldn’t even look at Elle and me"

"Does anyone else know about this?" I say

"No They all believe the baby was a stillbirth Or if they don’t, they keep it to the her a tissue frohtstand

"No, this will stay between you and me"

She dabs at her nose, folds the tissue, and tucks it into her skirt pocket "I’ve never told that to anyone before"

Even through the tears, I can see that soht has been lifted froirl In this place--no, in this world--it’s impossible for a child to be just that I put rants herself an uncharacteristicets the final say So whatever he asks of you, please, for your own good, listen to hi, this story has reinforced my need to escape, to be like the river in Linden’s atlas Because things here are ined Life is much different froarden, and all my secrets fit into a paper cup

Chapter 15

When Cecily finishes playing her song, and the illusion shrinks back into the keyboard, she stretches her arms up over her head and cracks her knuckles

"That was beautiful, love," Linden says He sits on the couch with his arm around me Jenna is curled on the arh

"We have a little concert pianist," Jenna agrees, and works one of Linden’s curls around her finger

"Maybe not a concert pianist," Cecily says, laying the dustcover over the keys

"No," I agree "A concert hall is too sterile Didn’t you tell arden?"

"The hedge ," Cecily says, clirove"

"You wrote that by yourself ?" Linden says, surprised

Jenna is still toying with his hair, and his head cants absently toward her

"Yes In h" Her voice trails off She looks aside, sighs sadly

"What is it, love?" Linden says

"Well It’s sort of an older song," Cecily says "I haven’t been outside in such a long time"

"None of us have, Cecily," I say "It isn’t just you It’s been so dangerous with the hurricanes You sa injured I was I’ back on my feet"

"But we haven’t had any hurricanes in weeks," Jenna says "The weather’s been quite nice Wouldn’t you agree?" She’s looking at Linden, whose cheeks have become flushed The adoration of three wives at once is more than he can handle

"I--I suppose it has"

"But House to keep us safe," I say "That’s why he escorts us outside"

"He escorts you everywhere?" Linden asks

"It does get depressing," Jenna admits "We adore our father-in-law, of course You know that But soirl needs some time alone"

"To channel her creativity," Cecily says

"To think," I add

"And for girl talk," Jenna says "And Rhine and I haven’t been able to play a gaaet any exercise at all, really"

"I wasn’t going to say this," Cecily says, "but they’re both gaining weight"

Jenna narrows her eyes "Look who’s talking"

Linden is looking a little red in the cheeks already, but when Cecily cups his face, kisses hinancy has made her unattractive, it’s just about all he can stand "Y-you’re beautiful," he says "All of you are But if you think some time outdoors will pick up your spirits, I’ll talk toso--uh--stifled"

"Really?" Cecily cries