Page 44 (1/2)

But Therese felt like her world had rocked on its axis

Dinner was a convivial meal, but as time wore on, it became more andmore than a bite or two fro very bad again, al Probably because she had taken nonprescription painto be so loopy she could not fulfill her obligations

Perhaps she should have taken so off in the middle of conversations And her sisters-in-laere very astute wo…unlike Claudio

Trying to find a more comfortable position, she shifted in her chair for the third time in ten minutes Rather than make the pain more tolerable, the shift asp She couldn’t quite h

Claudio stood suddenly “I believe Therese and I will retire early”

Tomasso frowned “But dessert has not been served”

“We are both tired and need our rest”

He reached for Therese’s arm, the expression in his eyes one of a hawk ready to swoop down on its prey “Come It is time you were in bed”

She knew she had no chance and therefore did not argue

“That is not a bad idea,” Toie indicated sleep was the furthest thing froht at his words

Claudio waited until they were out of the rooainst his chest with a gentle hold that made her feel secure and coddled as she had told him she did not need to be

Liar For it was exactly what she wanted

“Put me down,” she protested nonetheless “I can walk” But it was so nice not to have to “What if one of your brothers co me like this, or one of the servants? There will be speculation”

“I never realized you were so afraid of gossip”

“I’m not”

“Then explain why all of your doctor appoint ayou aren’t worried about it? You wouldn’t care if the papers got word of my infertility to to the hotel’s hot tub rather than staying inin Nassau”