Calder stormed through the palace corridors, still furious that she had dared to call him father after everything she had done. Somehow, Rosalind always seemed to bring misfortune into his life, and now people were distancing themselves from him because of her.
It would take considerable effort to restore his standing among the nobles, and it was all because of that girl.
All because of the foolish decision he had made that day.
What had he expected from someone he bought at a black market auction?
She had turned out to be nothing but trouble. Only her innocent eyes had been deceiving, and now that she had finally shown her true colors, he wanted nothing more to do with her.
****
For many years, he and Beth had remained childless. There was no fault on either side, yet no matter how much they tried, they could not conceive. Day after day, Beth would cry because she longed for a child of her own.
