“If it had not been for Father Morrell's timely arrival and subsequent pressure for all to be present at his sermon,Bronwyn would have remained in her room perfectly miserable,though claiming to be content.”

“I'm sorry this trip has been so difficult.""It could be worse. We could be enduring Father Morrell's celebration of the Eucharist."Bronwyn's jaw dropped and she turned in his arms to see if Ranulf was serious. He was.”

“The moment the door slipped away beneath Ranulf's fist as she opened it, his heart had stopped.It had been racing with anticipation, but the second he saw her,he froze and stared, in shcok. A pink crease line ran down her cheek. "You've been sleeping!" he bellowed, barging his way into the room. All this time, he had been frantic, concerned that Bronwyn was upset with him, worried about her feelings...and instead of weeping inconsolably,she had been blissfully unconscious.”

“So if it wasn't fear or embarrassment,then it had to have been pride spurring her abrupt departure...and her parting words. At least,it better have been,because whether Bronwyn knew it or not, he was the last man she would ever know or touch.”

“Know this,I won't let you leave.""Oh,my lord," Bronwyn hissed back as she continued to fake a smile to those around her, "if I want to leave...I will.""And then I will follow you and be most unhappy at the effort."Bronwyn dropped her sham expression of bliss to glare at him directly. "I wonder if you would truly care or even notice.""You are mine, Bronwyn.Now and forever. And I would notice.""Why should I care?""Because you would be destroying everyone's Christmas.For if you try to depart from Hunswick without my approval, I will find you and use every able mad to do so."Bronwyn openly gaped at him,realizing he was completely serious.Father Morrell, in hearing distance of the conversation, made another one of his blaring coughs. He then gave them both a slicing look she hadn't thought possible out of the cherublike face and held up a bowl of spiced and scented water. "It is a time for quiet. A day for being with loved ones, and sharing love together..." The man had started his sermon, making further conversation just like everything else around her...impossible.”

“Damn you to tell," she hissed.With each struggle, the wires of her wimple poked his chest, causing him a surprising amount of pain. He was about to yank the horrid thing off when she came to an abrupt halt at Father Morrell's rebuke. "I am shocked, my lady.You have always been a girl of common sense.To use such language, on Christmas, and in the chapel!"Bronwyn bit down hard on her bottom lip, her fury inflamed further. She forced herself to stand still and succumb to the proceedings. Ranulf may be keeping her here now,but that didn't mean she couldn't escape before night fell."And you,Lord Anscombe," Father Morrell huffed, "this is most irregular. How am I to know this lady comes willingly to this marriage carried upon your shoulder?""Father,you have one duty in front of you at this moment,and that is to wed me to this woman. The salvation of our souls can wait until tomorrow.”

“I suspect Father Morrell's preference for food and merriment is much related to the size of his girth," Edythe murmured through her pursed lips. Silence followed.”