The Lady Who Stay

what Perf

the reasons why I want to get out of here is to not marry y

with me. No wife, no marriage. Marrying you will also solve my problem once you leave. I will not have to deal with the inco

foot with frustration

ppen or you won't have your chanc

away? Is this your way to play with me?

u. It will give me

you murdered your w

ide," he said, flashing a smile at her. It was

s incre

nk of. Getting to one of the passages out of here will take days of travel, even weeks. How do you think will we be able to manage to get there if we are not married? As husband and wife, no one will raise q

ll come calling. They will wan

your parents on

worse, they will think I left

that is more likely to be the best deduction, which is not something you will have to be bot

part, she wouldn't deny that of him, after what he was willing to do for her. The consequences would have to be faced by him, not her. He could deal with it because he was a Leaguer. And Leagu

ld be inclined to think she left her husband for a lover. And he'd get his peace and quiet by being a married man in name. People would fear him if they'd

wedding's going to be in a month

ng arranged up there already? Someon

t moc

eeds to happen, Cressida. The marri

have to live the rest of her life with him, the thing they both absolutely

g your wife for a day or

an agreement?" He ask

ll. When she gave a terse nod, he straightened to full height with a satisfied smile and offered h

n't ha

e gossipmongers you'll leave behind. I rather want to give them a sense

adly of you?" She found it hard to

more amusing to witness the ton crack their brains, wondering how a besotted hu

oming that your wife will go off with an unknown lo

he corner of his mout

without question, she'd be happy to play the part. She just had to make certain to remind hers

*

e Lord of Easton without his bride. Cressida tried to ignore the smiles thrown their way whenever they had to make ap

so times when he'd be more at ease, even going boldly as taking her hand in his and talk about trivial things and joke about them with her. Sometimes she wondered if he really cared about her being too outspoken at all, because every time she talked he would lean closer and listen

ose his wife in a tragic event. With that thought in mind, she made it a point that she played her part. Not that it was that difficult as she first thought, because he was really that good in ma

uch time as possible away from her parents' estate where her mother was making plans for the wedding, and Cressida was alone in

Cressida, taking the opportunity to throw some offensive words

of the book in her hand without seeing a word. Sh

are you? Why? Don't tell m

about, Belinda?" she asked

essida remained mum, Belinda stepped closer and whispered, "It s

red a gossip for

the least b

"No, not really. We don't know fr

r are true," Belinda countered and Cre

candals entertain such a great number

als are like the holy bible to us. They are a great source of learning,

reading has greatly improved considering you read the Herald so religiously." Cressida bit on her lips to keep the chuckle that almost escaped her l

red, obviously not pleased to see Calan ther

you read, I am left to wonder why you are here at all." He stepped closer to Cressida with a smile, his hand holding her elbow. "Or is it because my b

she turned to look up at him. "You have

st tell you that you should at least read one article of the Herald a moment a

you replied that I should at least pretend I like it over ot

use he uttered, "And to which I regret I missed to add that I am rather fond of the idea that I am marr

y Lord, even if you deem it necessary so I can fit in." She turned to Belinda

she spoke, "No wonder you both suit each other. You

ial?" Cal

now grinning because she

uited so we can say that no harsh wor

whirled around and brushed her ma

ing out the corners of her eyes. "That is the best moment of the day so far, Easton," she tol

the same time, lost in each other's eyes. Cressida was quite disappointed to see the laughter in his eyes slowly disapp

o deal with another lady like Lady Belinda, I will grab the first rope I could find and climb out the

tched his back in consi

ha

to sound chiding but immediately regretted her question wh

echless, staring at him, hoping he'd say more or add that he was merely jesting. It didn't happen. He continued to stare at her, his jaw set tightly