Her Honour For An Heir

und alone. As soon as the servants poured tea and left,

limp strands of fading grey hair nodding along with the newspaper and gossip rags he

emind you of your duti

eve I have never cause

for your security as well as the estates. You know that if I were to die now,

e struggle," I replied quick

riptions of your affairs. Explaining why I could never take you to the London Season for fear of you being caught in the arms of yet another

softly rolled down my cheek as hatred pulsed through my body. "You would ruin yo

with the scorched ruins of your reputation. Your family won't take you when the gossips upda

l be hoping for a good match, imagine if her family is suddenly tarred with the worst kind of reputation. I am

an you do

my wife. Just because I cannot...fulfil the physica

mutter, staring

r but before my illness ravaged me I was a fairly muscular fellow, our hair is the same colour. It w

w what you are asking of me don't you? My honour,

yes were green but lacking the lustre of his recruited gigolo. Possibly age, or maybe drugs, it was hard to tell th

one of mere snarling pain, he almost spat the words. "Now

in advance. I thought Edmund was an old duffer cooped up in hi

the first copy of the letter, newly updated with some fi

breakfast table, "if I am to sign my honour away I wa

aning against the wooden stable split door, Fitz seemed to have anticipated my arrival. I wore a paler blue gown, tied

smile about?" I snapped, not

ok everything I had not to laugh at his pitiful display despite everything. "Better I suppose," I reply wi

her braces and button pants. They clung to his t

why you

o in

appy with this

servants before whispering, "I believe whatever

you se

ent mixed with hay. There was no perfumery, no lotions on his ski

sement. I shan't be falling in love

my life, what on earth makes you think you are any different, any better t

his neck and rolled his eyes. "You think you are the issue? That His Grace has left you alone because you

himself I found my hand coming towards him, planting a stinging slap

, you know!" I cri

me shake my head in frustration at the lightness he took thi

y vaguely aware of the carriage approaching containing my mother and sister. Three year

where it had touched the rough stubble of his fa

o

her the same treatment as Fitz. It is her meddling that has landed me here

sions of the weather, who had rented the larger townhouse for the season, whose servants ha

ver my situation. There was no escaping the fact an heir would make my life significantly easier, both during and after Edmund's life

noticing the different muscles, the huge form of his body. He was sculpted from

nd that meet this year!" I said gaily, quickly trotting out of the room. As my light

yesterday. Sat at his desk, he was in a sleepy haze, pap

to neg

ah

en my hand reached the handle his reedy voice recalle

. I cannot survive here full time. It is too quiet, to

of invigorating powders it balanced him back i

at is not un

hole s

ant this three mo

He is the stable hand, there is no reason for him to ever be in

?" he sighed, weary of

ou in the room..

be. I will be inspecti

. Everything was a business transaction, I half

as entered you. That is the only way you will fall pregnant so I want to kn

it was so real to ta

her than to know...who else

he asks you any questions about your health do not

agreeing to this. I had just shouted at Fitz an hour ago, slapped him and assured him I w

is it expec

e around two weeks ago so you are ready for breeding now. The next three ni

nig

and nightgown. I shall escort you to the guest suite on the far wing of the house. That will

his crows-feet lined eyes as if I was mad. "Of course. This needed proper planning. You may be quite content wasting away in front of

send for

alone tonight if you wish, I have the Radfo

iced the liquor bottles on the side of his bookcase were over half empty. Had he taken to drinking to exce

terest. So many vivid illustrations of the body. Of course I had no money to buy it with but when I showed it to Edmund he slappe

ered. "I do believe we shall be joining you at Guildhall t

tante. Her brown hair and blue eyes matched my own. We both shared delicately pale skin,

d for my reckless debating. As if having a womanly shape could entice a p

eligible men you wish

een most kind sending me flowe

ful fellow," my

would I recognis

nde statue of a man isn't he Kitty," her voice turning to a childish titter as they giggled into each other's shoulders on

duty, the role of a wife. Godliness above all. Pleasing the Lord by pleasing one's husband. Kitty seemed to be getting to

how many hours until I am taken to the west wing tonight. I have been in that room before. It is cold, draught

ur of blood. The c