Chapter 57

WHAT are you doing?’ Alexander demanded as Miah slid soundlessly off the side of the bed like a wraith trying to avoid detection. In almost the same movement she reached for her discarded nightdress.

Miah ’s upper lip was damp with perspiration. She had broken out in a literal cold sweat. Why would Alexander lie? Nor had there been anything teasing about his voice or manner. Indeed he’d had been terrifyingly matter-of-fact when he mentioned putting back the time frame for a while. A baby? She was to give him a baby as part of the contract? He had to be out of his mind!

She pulled on her nightie with shaking hands, for the nakedness of intimacy seemed more wrong than ever now that she was being forced to confront the reality that to protect her sister she had deceived him. Was it possible that Mirabella could have set out to deceive her as well? It was after midnight and Miah was incredibly tired. There were no bright ideas in her mind to inspire her and no magical escape hatch in si