Chapter 41

(POV - Nicholas Shaw)

Two hundred years ago nothing in my life was more important than power. Two hundred years later the only thing that matters in my life is a woman. If I could go back in time and tell my younger self about Eleanor, maybe the past me would just snort and forget.

But now ...

I put my right hand into my trouser pocket, my fingers touching the soft surface of the velvet in the shape of a small square. It took me a long time to choose it until I had to be late for home. But it's all worth the ring in my pocket right now. It was the ruby that I finally chose for Eleanor. Even from the first time I saw her I knew this ring would be perfect for her.

I didn't plan for this at all, getting married isn't the most important thing right now.

No, as long as I haven't gotten rid of Alastair then Eleanor isn't completely mine.

But lately Eleanor seems to be getting farther away from me, no matter how close she is to my side I can feel her thoughts are far away from me. I want to