Chapter 152

A couple of weeks later, after yet another party, the journey to the city and back to the castle was painfully silent. Lea tried once or twice to engage Dave in conversation on the drive home, but he only answered in monosyllables and seemed preoccupied with his thoughts. He rarely touched her. In fact, he seemed to be avoiding all contact, even eye contact. Was he still regretting their lovemaking? He had been so tender and considerate afterwards that a hope had sprouted in her chest that maybe he would agree to deepening their relationship. Had he weighed up the potential consequences and decided it wasn’t worth it?

That she wasn’t worth it?

Why? Was she not enough?

On the drive back to the castle, Dave drove with clenched hands and jaws, his forehead creased in a perpetual frown, which didn’t nurture her fledgling hope one little bit.

‘You know, we’re not going to be very convincing as a married couple if we don’t even exchange a few polite words now and again,’ Lea said.

He flicke