By the time Conaan came to the private chambers, Eleanor was sitting close to Matthew, her lower lip sucked in, her eyes low. He walked noiselessly to her, the quickly descending dusk dimming the room.

"Baby." His voice was soft, and she looked up, the ghost of a smile on her face.

"I was just about to come back."

He nodded. "I will be leaving early tomorrow. I cane to see you just in case you wanted to pass the night here."

She shook her head. "You took him in already. There is no greater favour after everything Alexander has done to you."

His eyes thinned slightly. "I believe. He...