heal from her wounds, along with the turmoil of the hurried wedding and

physical exertion of her first sexual experience, she could not deny her appetite.

As she sat at the table, trying to make herself chew slowly and not devour her dinner, she realized the pain in her backside had significantly decreased.

Thank heaven. Bruises heal faster than cuts but sitting on them is deeplyunpleasant.

Her internal soreness was fading as well and was quickly being replaced by a

hint of curiosity. Those were the most interesting touches I've ever experienced.

Pleasant, even, most of them. I'd like to know more. He had mentioned having her on her back, and she imagined what it would be like, lying open under her

husband's body as he thrust inside her. The thought made her cheeks warm with

a combination of embarrassment and arousal. To cover it, she took a sip of wine.

She didn't say a word during the soup, nor the succulent beef roast that followed, but afterwards, Julia bounced from her seat, took Katerina's arm and

hurried her into the parlor for a cup of tea and some serious conversation.

Christopher and his father remained at the table for glasses of port.

“What have you done, son?” Adrian asked without preamble, his voice grim

with concern.

“What I had to do,” Christopher replied.

“Why did you have to?” Adrian pressed.

Christopher shook his head. “There was no choice. She might not have

survived another beating. The one she endured was bad enough, and it wasn't the

first by any means.”

“I know. Do you really think such a terribly abused woman is going to be a

satisfying wife?”

Father knows how to ask the difficult questions, Christopher thought . He responded with one of his own. “Do you really think I would be able to live with myself if she were murdered because I didn't act when I had the chance? Listen,

Father, I know what you mean, but she wants to heal. She has promised to try.

Do you think there is no hope?”

Adrian shook his head. “Hard to say. She's young. Hopefully, her fearfulness

is not set into her for life. Perhaps she can overcome it in time, with your help.”

Christopher nodded once. “That's my wish. I'm willing to work through this

with her.”

Adrian closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between two

fingers. “How on earth did you get to such a place? You barely know this girl.”

“I realize that. I didn't want to do it this way. The initial attraction was…

promising. I wanted to get to know her slowly. Court her. Marry her when the time was right, maybe in a year or so,” Christopher explained.

“That would have been the better way,” his father said dryly, one eyebrow winging toward his hairline.

“It couldn't be,” Christopher insisted. “I know she looks all right now, but you should have seen her yesterday. You should see what's under her dress. He

damn near killed her, Father. I'm not exaggerating that it was a matter of life and death. The beating she took to the belly alone could have been fatal, not to mention if one of the wounds on her back festered…” Christopher shuddered.

“She does not look all right now,” Adrian retorted. “She looks injured.”

“She is,” Christopher agreed, “but she's better than yesterday.”

Adrian frowned.

You can't hide it, you tender-hearted old man. It bothers you too. Where do

you think I learned my virtues from?

Then, with a sigh, Adrian shook off his dark contemplation. “Well, I can see

there's no undoing it. You're married, and, from the way you look at her, I would

guess, fully consummated as well.”

Christopher met his father's eyes with a challenging stare. “Yes.”

“So, there's nothing to do but move forward. How do you plan to turn a rescue into a marriage?” his father asked him, unfazed by his son's aggression.

Christopher flopped back against the chair. His port sloshed in the glass. “I'm

not really sure.” The sense of bewilderment he'd experienced earlier washed back over him. He took a sip of his drink and added, “I would appreciate some

advice.”

Adrian thought for a moment and then compressed his lips. “I don't know if I