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not what he seems. He is a man with many inscrutable facets.”
    “I’ve already come to that conclusion, Grandmother. Drago refuses to tell me his real name. If we meet again, I’m certain he will not acknowledge me. I will take Drago his supper now.”
    “Wait, Lara. About your sleeping arrangement …”
    Lara opened and closed her mouth without uttering a word. What did Ramona expect of her?
    “You are a married woman.”
    “Grandmother! I … Drago doesn’t accept it.”
    “You declared yourself before witnesses, little one. You and Drago are husband and wife. What you do about it is your business. Intimacy is a private thing. But Drago is one of us now. We have darkened his skin and given him a Romany name. Our people will protect him should his enemies return, but only if you become Drago’s wife in their eyes. They are clamoring for a feast to celebrate your marriage.”
    “But, Grandmother, is that wise?”
    “It is the way of the Romany.”
    “Very well, Grandmother, I will bow to your wishes if it will keep Drago safe.”
    “Trust me, little one.”
    “Haven’t I always?”
    Julian tried to nap but his mind kept returning to his recent conversation with Lara. She couldn’t possibly believe she was his wife. He was an earl. Earls did not marry Gypsy wenches. Earls married women of good birth and equal rank. His eyes were finally growing heavy when he heard movement inside the wagon. He sensed Lara’s presence before he saw her. His eyes fluttered open.
    “You’re awake,” Lara said. “Are you hungry?”
    “Starving,” Julian said. He moved slowly to keep the pain at bay as he sat up on the edge of the bed. “Something smells good. Will you join me?”
    “I usually eat outside with the others, but I can move a bench beside the bed if you’d like. I brought enough for two.”
    “I’d like that,” Julian said. “I’ll join you outside when I’m stronger.”
    Lara pulled a bench close to the bed and laid out the food. Then she pulled up a chair and joined Julian. They ate in silence, broken only by the occasional comment on the food. When they finished eating, Lara carried the dirty dishes outside and returned with a basin of water.
    “I brought water so you can wash.” Dark eyes searched his face. “You look exhausted. Did you nap?”
    “No, but I’m sure I can sleep now.”
    “I’ll leave so you can ready yourself for bed.”
    Julian remained thoughtful as he prepared for bed. Dimly he wondered where Lara had been sleeping, grateful that she wasn’t taking this bogus marriage seriously. Occupying the same bed wasn’t a good idea. Lord knew Lara was an enticing bit of femininity, and he was no saint. He might forget he was a gentleman with Lara’s warm body curled next to his.
    Julian removed his clothing and washed thoroughly, using the water, towel and washcloth Lara had supplied. Then he climbed into bed and fell instantly asleep.
    Sometime later Julian was startled awake by something warm and soft burrowing against him. The sweet scent of her woman’s flesh gave him an instant erection.
    Lara.
    Julian hardly dared to move as she settled into sleep. What did this mean? Did she expect him to make love to her? He was more than willing but wasn’t sure he was capable. When he heard the even cadence of her breathing he felt disappointment, and a measure of relief. But the sudden urge to touch her was beyond his meager resistance. He couldn’t make love to her but he could bloody well touch her. Carefully he turned on his side, slid his arm around her supple waist, and cupped her breast in his palm.
    A little voice inside told him Lara was exactly where he wanted her, and the comforting knowledge lulled him to sleep.

Chapter 4
     
    L ara awakened slowly, dimly aware of warmth, and something else. A sensation that brought her body to tingling awareness. A smile touched her lips, then abruptly disolved when she recalled that she was sharing her bed with a man … her husband.