I looked up. Ferris Gilbert sat high in the saddle, surveying the scene, his traveling cloak still powdered with road dust. He had only just returned to the capital.
The instant Celeste saw him, she threw herself forward. Ferris swung down from his horse and caught her. "Celeste. What are you doing out here?"
Celeste crumpled against him, tears streaming down her face like rain on pear blossoms. "My lord, your wife tried to beat our child to death."
"She kicked me in the stomach too. It hurts so badly now. You have to stand up for me and our child." Celeste clutched at Ferris, her voice pitched to carry.
Charles Matthews, Vice-Minister of Ceremonies, sucked in a sharp breath from behind the heir. "Whoever dares harm the heir's child must be severely punished! Everyone knows how difficult it's been for the heir to produce an offspring. The heir's wife has gone too far with her jealousy."
Ferris walked toward me. I was still on my knees, pinned down by the guards.
He glanced at me once, his lip curling in disgust. "What are you dressed like? You look nothing like the heir's wife."
I had just returned from my pilgrimage, still wearing plain robes. The simplicity of my appearance only deepened his contempt.
Celeste burrowed into his arms. "My lord, I was so frightened. She truly meant to kill me. Our child and I nearly never saw you again."
Ferris looked down at me. "Wretched woman." Then he drove his foot into my body. I fell backward, and the veil slipped from my face.
Celeste let out a little gasp and pressed closer to Ferris. "No wonder you don't care for the heir's wife. Look at her. She looks even older than you."
"A man as handsome and distinguished as the heir, saddled with a woman her age? How could she possibly be a match?"
But Ferris had seen my face. His eyes went wide. The color drained from his skin, and his knees hit the ground with a crack.
