Chapter 3

Aubrey redressed and looked about the library, making sure nothing they discarded got accidentally left behind. He made an attempt at his cravat and finally gave up, waving the trailing ends at Maribel.

She sighed and took the offending garment and tied it expertly for him. He buttoned up the back of her gown and placed a chaste kiss on her neck.

“Christopher will be away for a few days in a fortnight from now,” she said, turning to face him. He reached up and smoothed out some of the flowers in her blonde tresses. “It will be the perfect opportunity to see the children, if you’d like.”

A pain stabbed at his heart. His children. They’d never know it. Aubrey wouldn’t tell them and certainly Maribel and Christopher wouldn’t. A life without those he loved seemed to be all he would face.

Lord, he’d dropped into the depths of melancholia. He was…well…pathetic.