Eric saw his friend talking with his wife in the garden. He could not suppress the overwhelming since of jealousy he felt, even when he knew his friend just offered her words of comfort. What Eva overhead he knew had hurt her. He suddenly was ready to leave, he had confidence in how he could make her feel in the privacy of her bedchamber and he wanted to comfort her himself. They did not have to talk in the bedroom, and nothing came between them. They could be one no matter how each other felt about love. Eric said their good byes, grabbed her things, called for the carriage and headed for the garden.
Ben addressed him first. “Eric, you have come to steel your beautiful wife away have you.”
“I have. Everyone has a busy day tomorrow. We will see you at the church.”
He guided her to the carriage and assisted her in. It never failed when he laid eyes on her his desire soared. He could not love her, she was in full understanding of that now, but he could show her how much he desired her. He would let her know he would always take care of her and their future children, protect her. It was important to him she not think him immune to her, unaffected.
Eva knew Eric would to come to her. She knew she could not deny him face to face, so she asked Mary to inform him she was not feeling well and she was retiring immediately in hopes she would feel better for the ceremony tomorrow. Perhaps if she withheld her body from him, one thing she knew he did want from her, he would understand she was not his whore, she was his wife, not only to be enjoyed and to carry his heirs, but a person to be loved. She realized she wanted his love. Eva’s first inclination had been to play the whore tonight. To shock him, make him feel as dirty as he had made her feel in that moment, but found she could not. She wanted to give him another chance. She lie awake as she heard Mary knock on his chamber door. She heard their muffled voices. She could not fall asleep. Nearly and hour later, he came into her room. She immediately pretended she was asleep. He walked to her bedside and stood. After a few minutes he picked up a piece of her hair and twirled it around his finger. He paced by the windows for a while and then finally went back to his chamber. Sleep came slowly.
