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Sitting in an elaborately carved chair by her bed, Joanna started abruptly as the beam of late afternoon sunlight that had been creeping unnoticed across the chamber, caressed her foot with its warm rays.
Why, she thought, must he stay away?
Standing and moving across the chamber, she stood with her back to the wall. Night would soon be falling, and Joanna was glad. It was painful to pretend that there was nothing amiss around her. Joanna knew she would inevitably have to leave this chamber that Gavin had his people hastily prepare for her. She knew she would have to go out and face the members of the household. But she hated the thought of it. Despised the false front she would have to put on before them.
Joanna moved restlessly about her bedchamber. They would ask her questions. T
