Page 25 of Honeythorn
Some decorumwasnecessary, however.
“There have been some challenges,” Milan admitted, “but I have come to appreciate northern charm.”
Katarina snorted inelegantly.
“I’ve been to the South, you know.”
Milan raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“What’s that look for? I am incredibly worldly, you know. Yes, I remember it being very warm, for one—I have no idea how you survive. But also, everybody would speak to each other as if they had known each other forever. I made fifty of the best of friends there, not one of which I can remember the name of.”
Milan laughed. “You exaggerate—but I can see how it may seem so coming from the North. It wouldn’t be proper to be so casual with a stranger here, I’m learning.”
“The way you chatted with the shop owner whilst looking at ribbons—you stunned the poor woman to death.”
“You’re joking.”
“I’m not!”
“I had no idea. Did she think me rude?”
“Oh, please. You’re completely charming. I bet Lord Ledford is thanking his lucky stars to have landed such a darling of a husband.”
Milan couldn’t help but stiffen, picking up his cup and taking a sip of tea to try and disguise his reaction. Not that he had to look at Katerina to know it hadn’t worked.
“Oh, dear,” she said.
“No, it’s not—this is not for gossip.”
“You insult me,” Katerina said, only half joking.
Milan put his hands up. “I apologise, it’s just a sensitive matter.”
“I wouldn’t tell a soul. My word is my honour.”
Milan smiled at her. Somehow, he didn’t doubt it. “It…hasn’t been easy. I’m afraid Lord Raphael does not see a place for me here.”
“Is he cruel to you?” Katerina demanded as if she were about to ride to Ledford Manor and give Raphael a piece of her mind.
“No. I thought, maybe…” His mind had gone over the night of his wedding day a million times. When he had been kicked out of Raphael’s bed, he had been so incredibly humiliated—but the more he thought about it, the more he wondered if the issue had been Milan assuming he had the right to stay in Raphael’s bed. Raphael had been incredibly kind throughout their joining, but to simply decide he had a place in Raphael’s bed had perhaps been presumptuous. Or had it? Milan was in knots over it.
“He is not cruel. Or, at least…I don’t know. Is it cruel not to try and be friends with someone who has uprooted everything to come here?”
“Yes,” Katerina said decisively.
“But I keep pushing and pushing…”
“And why shouldn’t you? We all knew it was irresponsible for him to accept the arrangement, despite the pressures I’m sure he was under.”
Milan frowned. “What do you mean?”
Katerina bit her lip, obviously regretting her comment. “I don’t know much, really.”
“What is it?” Milan insisted.
“Well, we were all just surprised he accepted another bonding after divorcing from the first.”
“Because they were also at odds?”
