But for once the written word did not capture and enchant her as it usually did.
Instead she felt that all she could see on the open pages was the face of Lord Edgar.
Although she tried to stop herself from being uncharitable, she knew how greedy he was for her money and that he actively disliked her as a woman because she was to be his wife.
She had known too when he was speaking to her in what she knew was a deliberately quiet and reasonable manner that he was hating the effort he had to make.
He was obviously thinking that the sacrifice was worthwhile if it meant that he could get his greedy hands on her fortune.
She was aware as he smiled at her that he was still as puzzled as he had been on the previous day when he had shocked and had frightened her with his aggressive approach.
