In a way, it felt wrong to look upon him in hissleep.
In another, Annelise knew one peek would bolster her confidence to argue against hisconcerns.
She would be so quick. He slept so deeply. He would neverknow.
Before she could reconsider, she eased from his embrace. His hand fell heavily upon her hip when she rolled to her side, as if he would stop her. Annelise jumped, certain he had guessed her plan, but he nuzzled against her back, drawing her against himagain.
“Rosalinde,” hemumbled.
Rosalinde? Who wasRosalinde?
Was he thinking of another woman while he lovedher?
Was this why he feared that love could not save him? Because he loved anotherwoman?
Annelise was outraged. That single utterance was all the encouragement she needed to slip from the bed. She fetched the candle and struck the flint. The wick sputtered to life. She caught her breath and cupped her hand around the flame. She swallowed then turned to face herspouse.
There was nothing wrong with hisface.
Quite the contrary, infact.
God in heaven, but he was a very handsome man. His wavy hair was as black as jet, and his brows were dark, too. His face was tanned, as his hands had been and his jaw was square with determination. His nose straight and narrow, his lips full enough to make her flush in recollection of his kisses. There was a faint shadow upon his jaw and she reached to touch his cheek, half-fearing that her eyes deceivedher.
He awakened with a cry ofalarm.
His eyes were of different colors. One was blue and one was silver-gray.
“Annelise!” he cried and snatched the candle from her grasp. He cast it onto the floor and the chamber was plunged into darknessagain.
Annelise’s heart stopped cold. Only in hindsight did she realize what she risked. His fury reminded her of the incident she struggled toforget.
She was once again a little girl who had seen toomuch.
“Annelise,” he whispered, disappointment in his tone. “Youpromised.”
Annelise could not reply. She cowered at the foot of the bed and trembled interror.
Now he would beather.
In the darkness, when she could not see hisface.
Would he killher?
Who would ever know herfate?
Annelise’s heart raced and her mouth went dry. She wished, too late, that she had curbed this particularimpulse.
“You said you would not betray me,” His voice was low, and Annelise shivered at the danger in histone.
Now she would pay theprice.
He had encouraged her confidence. He had prompted her trust, by showing her such kindness and gentleness. Because of what she had learned of her husband, Annelise had not believed he would respond inanger.
But she had erred and he would teach her another lesson. She covered her face with her hands and awaited theblow.
Her spouse swore with vehemence, but then shoved himself from the bed. She heard him snatching up his garments, moving quickly in the darkness. It was a curious choice, but perhaps nudity made him feel vulnerable. No doubt he would turn upon her once he was dressed, beat her senseless and leave her weeping on thefloor.
But he simply marched out of thechamber.
