KATHERINE

A maid came once again to inform me about dinner.

"Bring the food to my room. I won’t be dining in the hall tonight"—nor ever again.

I watched her leave with a nod.

"Nana…"

"Think it through carefully, there’s no rush. An heir isn’t born in a few hours. Go, take a good bath, relax, and sleep on it. I’ll take care of Lavinia."

I sighed and stood up, leaning toward her. I kissed her wrinkled forehead. This woman had been the only mother I had ever known.

"Silly girl, still as clingy as