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As soon as Uncle Herbert ?”

The ebony-haired lady at his side touched his arive him He holds himself responsible for your predicament”

Priscilla understood why Tristan blamed himself But life was too short to worry Only a feeeks prior, poor Mr Fellows had been knocked down and killed by a carriage whilst crossing the road on a foggy

“Your mother is the only person who should feel remorse,” Priscilla said

“It ht please you to know she now lives with ive you ain” He turned to Matthew “I know I have said so a thousand tiet what you’ve done for me, for Isabella, for all of us”

Matthew snorted “As I have already explained to my wife, I am not a martyr, Tristan At heart, I have always had selfish tendencies Do not give the ht Besides, have you not heard the news?”

“What news?”

r />“We’re in love” Matthew gave a sinful smirk “Surely it’s obvious”

Despite knowing it was far from the truth, butterflies fluttered in Priscilla’s chest The tickling sensation travelled to other parts of her body as her husband brought her hand to his lips and brushed a tender kiss over her knuckles The sae flashed in his eyes Lust, it seemed, could be mistaken for love if one was of a mind to deceive

Tristan and Isabella stared at them

“Then I would say the course of true love is rarely smooth” A dubious look marred Tristan’s fine features “Should either of you need anything while navigating the turbulent waters, you only need ask”

Isabella nodded “Our door is open, day or night”

Matthew raised his chin “There is no need for concern Inmost married couples lack — honesty There are no secrets We understand one another and so how difficult can married life be?”

Chapter 5

Standing together in the hall, Matthew and Priscilla were all suests Her aunt and uncle were the last to leave