Chapter 39

Ashton woke the next morning with a horrible crick in his neck. He had fallen asleep in a chair outside Godric's door. He yawned and rubbed the tight muscles on the back of his neck. What a night.

Ashton dared to peek into Godric's room and found his friend cuddled up with Emily as though the two would never part again.

He shut the door and returned to his chair. Godric, you will marry her. There's no other way to keep her safe and yourself sane.

No one had woken him to change the guard as scheduled. Rather than let anger rise up in him, he merely smiled.

How strange it all was that an act of abduction born of Godric's wounded pride would end up like this? With Godric hopelessly smitten by a singularly unique young lady every bit his equal.

Simkins came up the stairs carrying a tea tray, which meant he must have wanted to have a private word with Ashton without the other servants overhearing.

"Would you care for a cup of tea, Lord Lennox?" Simkins asked.

"Yes, thank you." He too