Chapter 12Back at their Palazzo Sir Harvey sent Paolina to her bedchamber.
“You have nearly two hours to rest and then prepare yourself for the Ceremony,” he said. “I have work to do!”
She knew that what he said was true, but she guessed too that he was afraid to be alone with her and afraid not only of her emotions but also of his own.
She lay down on the day bed drawn in front of one of the windows, but knew that rest was impossible.
The seconds of her freedom were ticking past like heartbeats.
Soon, soon, they would be gone and with them the man she loved beyond her hope of Heaven.
Suddenly she heard a noise outside the room.
She listened and thought that she must be mistaken. The sound was peculiarly like a woman sobbing. Curious, she rose, crossed the room and opened the door.
