Page 147 of Moon Craving

"I was concentrating on my pleats." And she had not been looking at him to read

his lips. She did not care about what had just happened. He had only been testing the

new knowledge, not discovering it.

"There were many signs, I cannot believe it took me so long to realize the truth."

"I had many years' experience learning to hide my affliction." And she had had a

compelling reason to keep it hidden, one that grew more important each day--her love for

and desire to stay with the man who now hated her.

"How is it that you speak?" he demanded.

"I did not lose my hearing to a fever until my tenth year."

"And you have lied about the truth of your condition since then?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Emily."

"I should have known."

"Don't you denigrate her. She was the only one who cared enough to try to save

me. She worked with me, hours every day, so I would continue to speak normally. I

learned to read lips with her help and constant guidance. No one in our keep knew of my

affliction except my mother and stepfather. And eventually, my sister Jolenta." She hated

sharing the pain of her past but owed her husband as much truth as she could give him.

He did not ask if her deafness was why her mother hated her so. He must realize it

was.

"I told Osgard there was no deception in you. I was a fool." She could have stood it

if only anger showed in his eyes, but hurt lurked there as well.

Abigail's heart broke. "No."

"Yes! Perhaps your bitch of a mother convinced you to lie to me initially, but you

have had ample opportunity since then to admit the truth."

"I was afraid."

"Just like the rest of your countrymen, liars and cowards, every one of them."

"No, it's not like that."

He looked at Guaire. "Take her to our chamber."