Chapter 18

He simply stared at me for a few seconds, his breathing as ragged as mine before clenching his jaw, “I suppose we had better summon him,” he sighed.

“Wait, wait,” I whispered, placing my hands on his face and pulling him to me, our foreheads touching as I gazed into his eyes. “Thank you.”

“You do not need to thank me,” he said dourly, as I felt a frown forming against my forehead.

“I do, Fitz, you were right, it’s…theres…just please don’t leave me,” I breathed, knowing I must sound foolish. I cannot confess love, he is a man entitled to his own life and happiness. My love is no use to a single man who will shortly be paid a large sum of money. With an icy horror I wondered if this payment was to go towards his own future married life.

My fear only multiplied as Fitz hauled himself from the bed. He watched my expression change as he quickly pulled up his breeches and lowered my nightgown. He returned to lay on the bed, on his side facing me. It almost made me weep with relief. “We ca