This was what it should be like, she thought. Her and Edward together, just as she had always dreamed they would be.

‘You do love me, don’t you?’ Edward said suddenly.

Anna raised her head to look at him, surprised by the question. ‘Of course.’

‘I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you.’

Anna saw the look in his eyes and realised with a shock how insecure he was, even now.

‘Lucky you don’t have to worry about it, then, isn’t it?’ she said, laying her head against his chest again. His heart beat steadily under her ear.

He curled his arm tighter around her, holding her close. ‘And to think how close I came to losing you, all because of my stupid jealousy,’ he said. ‘I mean, what does it really matter if you write to another man? You’re still mine, aren’t you?’

Anna hesitated, then said, ‘I won’t write to Tom again if you don’t want me to.’

She felt him turn his head to look at her. ‘Do you mean that?’

‘I’ve been thinking about it, and you’re right. I shouldn’t really be writing to other men now I’m married.’ She reached for Edward’s hand, pressing it against her own. His long fingers wrapped tightly around hers.

Even as she said the words, she felt her heart sink slightly in her chest. But it was the right thing to do, she told herself. Edward was her husband now, and she had to make him happy.

‘I’ll write to him this morning and tell him,’ she said.

‘Why can’t you just stop writing?’ There was an edge of impatience in Edward’s voice.

‘That wouldn’t be fair. I need to explain, or he’ll wonder what’s happened to me.’

She felt his hand tense against hers, and for a moment Anna thought he might argue. But then he said, ‘As you wish, my love.’ He rolled over on to his side, propping himself up on his elbow to smile down at her. ‘You can tell him to find himself another girl to write to, because you’re taken. You’re mine now. All mine.’

Anna flinched for a second as he bent his head to kiss her, but this time his lips were gentle against hers.

It will all be all right, she told herself. From now on, everything will be perfect, just as it should be.

As Edward moved on top of her, his weight pressing down, a flash of colour on the other side of the room caught her eye. It was a scrap of red ribbon, dangling from the fire grate.

CHAPTER THIRTY

‘You did what?’

‘I wrote to your family.’ Dulcie didn’t meet Sam’s eyes as she straightened his bedclothes. ‘It was the right thing to do,’ she went on quickly. ‘They deserved to know where you are and what’s happened to you. It seemed so unfair not to tell them …’ she gabbled on, not daring to look up. ‘And I was right, your mother was so grateful. I’ve got her letter here, if you want to read it?’