Fann came in from training with the Count’s men all afternoon in a very bad mood, the kings missive crumpled in his hand. At least this time the man had remembered to send it in English. Fann stormed through the castle demanding a bath and food brought to his room, as well as the whereabouts of his wife. That morning he had been happy to hear that Eleanor had declined an invitation to go shopping with Claire and her sisters, insisting that the clothing she had now was already nearly too much to ask her horse to carry all they way north. He was glad her time of austerity in the abbey had not left her craving an abundance. He also like that she would be in the castle and not venturing into the city without him. He had not, however, been thrilled to learn that she had spent the entire day pouring over research with the scientists in residence. As hard as it was, he had kept his displeasure to himself. She wanted to decide how to spend her time. Fine. Good even. Having a simpering wife a

“Time to rise and shine, sleepy head!” Eleanor’s eyes blinked open to see Claire standing over her. Was it morning? She and Fann had only just gone to sleep. And he was gone already? Did the man ever sleep?That man was her husband.Eleanor felt the heat rush over her face. She gasped and sat up, clutching the linen to her chest.“There you are! I’ve got some food over here for you to break your fast, then Annora has given us this pile of gowns to look through. Something in there should be close to fitting, she’s only a bit taller than you, and before the twins her waist was tiny too.”“More dresses?” Eleanor was a bit groggy, but she was fairly certain the Duchess and Countess should both have realized she didn’t want to have more things to pack.“I know you didn’t want to shop with us, but you need a wedding gown for today and a ball gown for when you go to the party at the palace.”“Fann told you we...?”“Well of course. How else would you get a wedding feast?”“You are not angry w

The grey mist turned into a steady drizzle shortly after they started their journey but it would be a full day’s ride to Hever, where they were to spend the night. As soon as the drizzle was enough to make her hair frizz, Claire dismounted and climbed into the carriage with her children to avoid becoming damp, but Eleanor decided to continue riding. The scowl Fann had given her told her exactly how much he would have preferred for her to be dry and in the carriage. He had refused to say a word to her since, which totally defeated her purpose for staying out. Not only would six people in the carriage be a tight squeeze, but she knew this would likely be the only time she’d get alone with her husband for a few days. By the time they reached the inn, they would need to eat, sleep, and be ready to do it all over again the next morning. Eleanor chose to ignore his tantrum at first. Even with the dreary grey sky and the mist that coated the distance like a thick fog, the countryside was be

Sitting in the room in Croydon Eleanor tried to remember the last few days. She had ridden comfortably enough in Fann’s arms on the way to Hever, and then a doctor had come. After that everything was either blank or very fuzzy. Apparently, she had slept in the carriage for a day and abed two days. Today they had to see the king. She shook her head trying to clear the fog and the room continued to spin after she stilled. “You will ride in the carriage today. Your ball gown is not fit for horseback.”“I know.”“You are not going to argue?”“I am not fit to ride.”“Are you in pain?”“I... Fann why do I feel so odd? What did you do to me? I can hardly think. I do not even know if I am sitting still or swaying around.” “The doctor thought it best if you remained abed and as still as possible for a few days. He left a potion to help you sleep.”“I would never have taken a sleeping potion.”“It was what was best for you.”“Did you make me take it?” He didn’t answer. “Fann, I can’t see the

Fann saw Eleanor wince as the palace guard handed her up to him.“I have your potion in my saddle bag. A mouthful should be enough.”“That is your potion, not mine. I want nothing to do with it.”“I know you’re hurting, I saw you wince.”“That does not mean I wish to tempt death again. I’ll have none of it.”“Eleanor - ““Just ride husband. Get us to the Ember river for a wash, then the inn so I can lie down. This day has been too long already.”“If you took the potion you would be comfortable enough to sleep while I ride.”“No.” He sighed, but turned his horse down the road out of town and picked up speed. When they arrived at the first secluded spot on the river Fann helped Eleanor off the horse. “I will wash our horse off first and leave them on the other side. Then I’ll come back to help you undress and we can wash.”“I’ll start a fire to burn the clothing.”“No need. The guard left one for us, see? And he is on the other side of the river, waiting with our dry clothing.”“Oh wh