Chapter 28

Trying to disguise my dishevelled state meant I managed no sleep before dawn. Splashing my face with water, trying to clean between my legs, I heard the carriages pulling. With a heavy dread I knew I had to be downstairs promptly to bid Edmund farewell.

"Goodness Your Grace what has happened to you!" Marie chided as she entered my bedroom. She almost dropped the tea tray as she stared at the livid dark bruise on my collar bone.

"Your hair, you are injured, is everything quite alright?"

"I fell out of the bed, I am supposed you did not hear my great thump," I replied, rubbing the corner of the bedside table.

"I shall request some arnica to put on that bruise if you do not mind Your Grace."

I nodded and tried to stifle a yawn.

Of course it was a mark from Fitz and his caresses, along with my raw nipples, aching thighs and torso. I needed sleep and a warm bath. Yet I received a tightly laced corset and a dark blue day gown with a white ribbon.

With an almost viciously firm han