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Trust and faith. Fenella’s eyes filled with tears of despair. “I’m afraid I have very few reserves left of either of those traits, my lord,” she said in a wobbly voice. “You see…”

“I’m well aware of your circumstances,” he cut in. “However, I am not Ambrose Thane.”

Fenella jerked as if she had been slapped. There was a moment’s silence and then she felt his hand cover hers on the blanket. She blushed violently feeling his warm skin on hers for the second time that morning.

“Forgive me Fenella, that was uncalled for,” he muttered in a low voice. “It seems I am not entirely reasonable after all.” He sounded rueful and when she raised her eyes to meet his, he gave her a reassuring smile. “I am not really so bad as I appear to you right now. You will not find me an exacting husband, I assure you. I will expect us to lead our own lives, yet to always show every consideration for the other. I will make no unreasonable demands on your time. I can provide for you every comfort to which you have been accustomed and more.”

Lord Vawdrey’s voice ebbed and flowed as he outlined his extensive properties, his wealth and his titles, all of which, astonishingly, it seemed he intended to share with her. Gradually, however fantastical a notion it seemed, it dawned on Fenella that he truly did consider their future paths to be intertwined. She reached up periodically to wipe her wet cheeks dry, as his voice carried on in a measured tone. To her confused mind, it seemed he deftly rewrote their history together and obliterated Ambrose Thane from its pages altogether. According to him, they had been married for the last twelve years. She was a countess, his countess and her place was at his side. It was so bizarre that she started to feel quite feverish.

“Fenella,” he said suddenly after a few moments. “Have you heard one word I have said?”

“I’m barren,” she said heavily, surprising them both. It was a dark thought, she had never before spoken aloud. But the fact remained that in eight years she had not produced one child.

He did not even miss a beat. “My brother has issue. I have a godson and nephew. It is enough for me.” He paused again. “What else?”

What else? Fenella swallowed and tried to focus on the important things. “I want my dog,” she said raising her chin.

This did seem to give him pause. “Ah yes. You mentioned this yesterday. Where is it?”

“He’s at Thurrold.”

“Thane’s seat?” he asked. She nodded. “Description?”

Fenella thought a moment. Something told her that words like ‘endearing’ and ‘like an adorable bear’ would not impress Oswald Vawdrey who was now looking very intent and business-like, despite his astonishing attire. “Black. Large. Old. Answers to Bors.”

He nodded. “He will be here by daybreak tomorrow.”

Daybreak? “But what if …”

“Daybreak tomorrow,” he repeated with a faint smile.

“Thank you.”

He looked wryly amused. “You’re welcome,” he said, his glance wandering down from her face to flicker over her.

Fenella cleared her throat and dragged the sheets around her a little tighter. Surely he couldn’t see anything?

“I’m prepared to be patient, Fenella,” he said rather huskily. “You have no need to be afraid of me. I’m your husband. It’s my duty to take care of you from this point. Anything you need, you come to me. Am I understood?”

She nodded, at a loss for words.

“Good,” he said. “Now get dressed. I need to take you with me to meet the King with all haste.”

“The King?” she repeated in some dismay.

“Yes, King Wymer needs to be informed immediately. His inner circle are not permitted to marry without his consent.”

Fenella’s eyes widened. “Will he be angry?” she blurted in some alarm.

Oswald tipped his head to one side. “He will not be pleased, but as our marriage took place years before I was a member of court, I do not think he can realistically hold it against us.” He reached for the chest of drawers next to his bed and opened the top drawer. “These papers are the proof of our marriage contract. I think it would be better if I told the King you brought them with you to court as leverage.” He dropped them on the bed next to her.

Fenella looked down at the sealing wax and spotted her family bear and the Vawdrey panther. She glanced up at his face, but his expression was inscrutable. “Should I bring them with me?” she asked in surprise.

“Wymer may ask to see them,” admitted Oswald, and she felt another twinge of alarm at the royal reaction to their marriage.

He stood up. “I’ll send in fresh water for you to wash and dress.”

She swallowed and nodded. “Yes, my lord.”