He carried her to a bedroom, laid her on the bed and stretched down beside her. She was stiff with fear and her breathing was labored. He held her close and murmured softly, "Honor, I am sorry. I was wrong, so very wrong. There is no excuse for me, except that I only thought you might have to do a little unpleasant work. I couldn't look at you. I was angry, but I didn't mean for you to be harmed."
He kissed her hair and admitted, "I have to tell you the truth now. I have to do this because I find that my life is empty without you. I lied to you, Honor. You were going to marry another man. He is a very good man, but you didn't love him--you don't love him. I went to talk to you and beg you not to do it. I couldn't let you marry a man you didn't love because you were angry with me. My va
