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intimidating. Ana sounds like the name of a woman who is always sweet and easy and agreeable. It is the name of a woman who might give me many fat and healthy babies. Sons, of course, though I suppose after five or six boys I might agree to a daughter or two.”
    He expected an argument, as he had given her plenty of reason to disagree, but instead the lady said, in an emotionless voice, “My mother used to call me Ana, when she was feeling well and I had pleased her, or when she was just having a happy day.”
    “Then you will not mind if I do the same,” he said.
    “Until my stepfather comes to fetch me, you can call me whatever you like. I don’t care.”
    As the days passed and Ramsden did not come for her, how would she react? Would she grow angry or despondent? Would she accept the situation she found herself in?
    Jahn was of a mind that Lady Morgana should be humbled, that she should find some appreciation for her pampered situation, but he did not want her to be afraid. Her eyes and the way she stared into the fire spoke of fear even now, after he had told her he had no marital expectations of her at the moment. He had given Ramsden his word that there would be no taking advantage of this situation, so he had no choice. He couldn’t very well tell Morgana that, however. It would ruin the game.
    “I take good care of what is mine,” he said in a lowered voice.
    “I am not yours,” she replied hotly.
    She had been frightened enough for one night. “For now you are, like it or not, and while I call you wife, while you are in my care, no harm will come to you. You will not go hungry, and no man or beast will hurt you in any way.”
    She looked at him, perhaps less afraid than before. “What an odd man you are.”
    “Odd?”
    “You do not know me at all, you have no valid reason to want me as your wife, and yet it is entirely thanks to you that we are here. You have offered me time, so I must assume that your interest is not entirely prurient, and now you offer what can only be called protection.” Her brow furrowed. “Many men have wanted to take me as their bride, but all for the same reason.”
    “Your beauty?” he asked with a smile. “Or was it your abundant tenderness of personality and good cheer that called them to you?”
    She did not take the bait. “It was my stepfather’s land and the fact that he has no children of his own that called to them. Has it called to you, also? Do you wish to return to my home and take your place as next in line as master of the house?”
    Maybe she was not so different from him, after all. To have lifelong bonds formed strictly for land or power or riches was somewhat sad. It was disillusioning, even to the most hard-hearted.
    “I swear to you, Ana, I have no such desires,” Jahn said honestly. “In fact, I can promise you that we will never live on the land you have just left behind, and I have no desire to be master of your stepfather’s house. Arthes is my home, and it shall remain so.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
    Since becoming emperor, Jahn had always realized that his choice of a life mate would be influenced by his position. Love and affection were not necessary; they might even become burdensome. Add to that the fact that he had always been easily bored where women were concerned, and the idea of such a shallow union intended to be for a lifetime was horrifying. This lovely lady’s situation was no different from his own.
    “Believe or not, it’s the truth. I might not always embrace the truth, but I am not a stranger to it, either. I did not choose you for your stepfather’s land, that I promise.”
    She relaxed a bit, and when Blane returned from the forest, their conversation died a natural death. Already Jahn was regretting his impulsive decision to bring her along in this way, but it was too late to turn back. Much too late.
     
     
    RIKKA clapped her hands in girlish glee, though her girlish years were long