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He was breathing hard, the water rippling with his tension

‘My only consolation was that she was happier playing the invalid in Bath, just like herthe hermit at Chesham, just like my father You already know I am not sociable, now you know I aain, Sam’

Saony And self-conte shift, like the gears on a clock The ian to crumble—his perfect wife, his perfect life only shattered by the death of their son The thought that he’d been as disappointed and betrayed as she had been That he’d been alone with his beloved son, caring for hi him die Alone

Her ar to reach for him, to wrap themselves around that pain like a blanket and chase away his bitterness at himself But her own heart was too bruised

‘I hate that you had to suffer alone, Edge I wish But that cannot be an excuse This has nothing to do with being sociable—it has to do with respect If you wish to play hermit, you have my leave to do so, within reason, but you will keepif you are ill, or suffering, or soer’

He reached forward, his hands closing on her arreen flickering with firelight

‘I’m sorry’

His eyes ers as they trailed down her arainst her ribs She covered her abdo hers

‘Sam Are youare you with child?’

She snapped her arms away so swiftly they hit the sides of the bath

‘No No, I’m not’

‘Are you certain?’

‘Of course I am I do understand the rudimentary mechanisms of my body, my lord’

‘Don’t call one and the sulky curve to his er

Her anger faded, beaten back by the memory of her confusion when her monthly course arrived—she’d been relieved because it was too soon to bring a child into their unsettled unionand yet

They sat for ahis hands into his damp hair

‘I’m too tired for this at the moment, Sam Please, can’t wejust for now cry peace?’

She sighed She was tired as well Exhausted