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“Well, he made a legendary hero. He didn’t quite have a marriage in mind. As far as I recall. He didn’t mention it in the tales I’ve read.”
“He didn’t seem to know that Gorlois was going to be killed in battle just then, did he?” asked Sarah.
“No. Apparently he was not omniscient.”
“Which is disappointing.”
“Is it?”
“Well, a great magician ought to foresee such a thing.”
“Perhaps all of his…precognitive facilities were fixed on Arthur.”
“I suppose so.” Sarah’s mind drifted on a cushion of physical well-being. “Our marriage will be better than Igraine’s.”
“Mmm.” Kenver’s eyelids were drooping.
Igraine’s had been filled with troubles, Sarah noted. That led inevitably to the thought thathermarriage had not gone smoothly so far. In fact, aside from Kenver, it had been difficult indeed, and the problems had not been removed by his father’s recovery. Here in these rooms, wrapped in each other’s arms, they were happy. In the rest of Poldene, however, problems still loomed. “Never mind,” she said. They would find a way through them together. “Forget I said anything about Igraine,” she added for luck.
“I do not forget anything you say,” he murmured.
“Well, that could be awkward. Some things I say are just nonsense.”
“Never.”
Sarah decided to let him retain this pleasant illusion and simply kissed him.
“It is kind of you to read to me,” the earl said to Sarah some days later. “Your voice is very soothing, and you find interesting things to read.”
“I’m glad. If there is anything you’d particularly like to hear, I will look in the library.”
“I’m content with your choices.” He fell silent.
Knowing he didn’t have much energy for conversation, Sarah returned to the biography she had been reading. But when the nurse left the room for a bit, Lord Trestan asked, “Why are you doing this?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Propped up with pillows, very pale and haggard, he said, “Being so ill makes a man think. And so now I am wondering why you are sitting with me. Reading to me.” He gazed at her with tired eyes. “You were not made welcome when you came here. Indeed, I thought you had moved out of Poldene.”
“Kenver wished to be here during your illness.”
“Did he?”
“Of course.”
“Of course,” the earl repeated, as if examining the words. “And you came with him.”
“I am his wife,” she answered, with just the slightest touch of defiance.
“So you came out of duty.”
Sarah hesitated. It was mostly true. She had not been eager to come. But she had felt it was right.
“But that didn’t mean you had to sit with me. You’ve… I think I remember you’ve been here rather constantly.”
“I wanted to help.”
“Why would you wish to help me?” He seemed thoroughly puzzled. “You…” He was interrupted by a cough. He was not quite rid of it, and it shook his weakened frame. Sarah rose, poured some of her mother’s mixture, and helped him drink. The liquid soothed and finally conquered the spasm.
