He started violently at the sound of her soft voice. “She speaks. Good
heavens! Will the sky fall next?”
“I think it's already fallen,” Katerina replied, a hint of a smile on her lips.
“What rumors?” Christopher asked insouciantly.
“They say you've gone and married her, all on a whim.” Colin waved
carelessly in Katerina's direction.
“Humph. For once they've gotten it right, eh, love?” Christopher joked.
“It would appear so.” Her smile widened.
Colin gawped at the two of them. “You're married?”
“Yes,” Christopher said simply, slipping his arm around her waist.
Katerina nodded.
“Why?”
The disbelief in his inflection caused Katerina's cheeks to color.
Christopher gave his wife a questioning look. Must I give my oldest and closest friend the official story, he seemed to be asking her silently, or may I tell him the truth?
Katerina looked back at her husband, feeling his conflict. She wanted to ease
this moment for him. “I was in a… difficult situation. He came to my rescue.
He's very much a hero.” For emphasis, she rested her cheek on his shoulder in a
warm embrace.
Colin looked at her, disbelieving.
“No, not that kind of situation,” Christopher reassured his friend.
“What?” Katerina asked, her eyes skating from one man to another.
“Love, when a woman needs rescuing from a 'difficult situation,' she's often
implying she's with child by someone irresponsible,” Christopher explained.
“Oh. No, nothing like that. Lord Gelroy, my father, he was…” she looked at
Christopher, cheeks burning.
“You don't mind if I tell him?”
Katerina's lips twisting, showing that, yes, she did mind, but she gave a curt
nod. “He's your friend. He needs to know why you didn't tell him immediately.”
Her dark eyes met Colin's. “My Lord, I would prefer this not become public knowledge, please.”
Colin nodded.
“He was beating her,” Christopher said darkly. He returned his attention to
Colin, taking in an expression of wide-mouthed shock. “You can't imagine how badly. I couldn't leave her in that kind of danger.” He gave Katerina an intense
look, the kind of look he knew Colin had never seen on his face before. Though
his wife blushed like a summer rose at the blunt words, Christopher took grim satisfaction in knowing that since that day, no further suffering had or would ever befall her. The abuse might have spurred the hasty marriage, but I want to
be with this woman. Maybe now that her shyness has abated somewhat, people
will understand.
Colin shook his head, “Married. Humph. Well, I suppose someone had to be
first to take the plunge. Better you than me.”
Christopher dodged the comment. “So, how did the meeting go?”
