“It occurs to me that had you not connived to make me marry the marquis in your place, and had you been on Le Cok the first time instead of me, it would have been you on the mast that tore from the ship and floated up to shore near Aulay’s lodge. And had that happened, it might now be you married to him and enjoying the benefits of a young, strong, very handsome, and incredibly virile husband who is also kind and would never even think of hurting you.
