Chapter 157

Lea touched his face with the soft palm of her hand, her expression full of concern. ‘Oh, Dave, it's not your fault. Stop being guilty. Maybe Mary tricked you into marrying me, but it seems like you’ve had to be strong for everyone else here in the castle. I may not have known you long enough, but it’s in your nature to take control and make sure everyone is okay before you see to your own needs. But your needs are important too. You can’t put them on hold forever.’

Dave cradled one side of her face with his hand, his other hand still holding her hand anchored to his thigh. ‘Lea, how’d you get to be so wise and wonderful?’

Something passed through her gaze, and she lowered her eyes to focus on the region of his collar. ‘I’m not that wonderful…’ She bit her lip, and a frown pleated her smooth brow.

He lifted her chin, so her gaze came back to his. ‘Hey. Why do you think that?’

Her expression faltered as if she were in two minds over answering. But then she gave a jagged sigh and spoke