The Lord's Inconvenient Vow

‘As long as you like it.’

‘I love it. I feel...this is foolish...’

‘Tell me.’

‘I feel I belong here. I didn’t feel that in any of the other houses we saw. Not even in any of the houses I’ve lived in over the years. It feels right. Our own little island.’

His mouth brushed lightly over her temple and rested briefly on her cheekbone before he straightened again.

‘You wanted a moat. The river will have to do. That toy boat can be our armada though I doubt it can hold my weight.’

‘We will name it Sobek after the crocodile god and chase off invaders from the water.’

‘Excellent idea. You can paint a toothy grin on it.’

‘No, that will frighten the children...’

His hands stuttered on her, dropped to her abdomen for a second and then withdrew abruptly. Sam closed her eyes and cursed herself. When would she learn to think before she spoke? She needed to have the word ‘patience’ stitched on to her pillow so she could memorise it morning and night.

His hands returned, settling on her hips, but the moment was gone.

‘I’ll tell Mr Grafton we will be relieving him of this property. Wait for me in the carriage.’

* * *

Sam settled in the carriage, cursing herself and him.

One word. One simple word and a world of meaning.

You knew I wanted a family, she wanted to rail at him. I told you when I proposed, you said you wished for one as well. Why must any mention of it send you running for the hills?

The words rumbled inside her head, but for once came nowhere near her mouth. Every tumble off a cliff was a lesson in staying away from the edge. She smiled a little sourly at how aptly she’d named him all those years ago. He was her boundary line and now controlled both sides of it.

The carriage door opened and Edge came to sit beside her.

‘It’s done, Sam. Congratulations on our new home.’ His voice was so suspiciously bland she wondered if he’d rehearsed that line. Well, she knew how to knock a few bricks from his walls.

‘I know which room I want for my drawing,’ she challenged and he turned from his contemplation of the passing countryside.

‘Hmm. It is probably the one I wanted for my writing.’

‘If it is, I shall fight you for it.’

‘You will likely win. I had best concede in advance.’

‘No need. You want the one on the corner, with the view of the river, correct?’

‘That isn’t the one you wanted?’

‘No, that is perfect for you. Mine is next to the drawing room, facing south.’

‘Are you only saying that to please me?’

‘Is that likely?’

He smiled.

‘You might, but I don’t think you are. Why did you and your husband have no children?’

Her skin blazed and she stared at him, almost certain she’d misheard. He looked calm and only mildly interested, not at all like someone who’d shoved her off the cliff more effectively than she ever tossed herself off one.

‘If you don’t wish to answer, you needn’t.’ He looked away. ‘I didn’t mean to pry.’

‘You aren’t...that is...the truth is... Oh.’ She breathed in, gathering herself for the truth. ‘Ricki and I were not...intimate for long. A few months only.’

‘But...you were married for four years.’

‘Yes, but we lived together for less than a year. Less even than you and Dora.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘It is a long story.’

‘Was he not capable...was he wounded?’

‘No, not in body. I did wound him, though. I was young and so, so stupid.’

‘There was another man.’ Edge’s voice was as cold as only he could make it. It sent cracks along her skin like veins forming in the ice. Any moment now the truth would spill out and she still had not the faintest clue what Edge would do with it. And that terrified her.

‘Yes.’

The silence went on and on and she still didn’t know if it was right to tell him. She only knew she was terrified she might chase him away.

‘You were young,’ he said finally. ‘Impetuous. Was that why you left him? For another man?’

‘No, I left him because he killed his daughter, but it was my fault.’

‘What?’

She held out her hands and they were shaking. Edge shook his head, the fury replaced by shock.

‘I don’t believe that. Sam, I know you—you would never ever...’ He touched her face, his fingers sliding down a trail of tears. She was crying and hadn’t even realised. ‘Tell me what happened. Whatever it was, I know you. You would not wilfully hurt anyone, Sam.’

She grabbed his hand. Maybe if she held on hard enough his certainty would counter her guilt.