Just then there was a tentative knock on the door. Marisa’s mouth made an “O” shape. I motioned for her to be quiet and then tightened my robe before answering the door.

One of the mousy servant girls from last night was standing there with a tray of fruits. I smiled at her and beckoned for her to enter. She bowed and walked into the room.

“Would mistress like a bath this morning?” the servant asked, her voice trembling slightly.

I was about to say Marisa had already had one when Marisa said, “Why yes, that sounds absolutely delicious. I won’t be too long, darling.” And then she kissed me on the cheek and all but pushed me out of the room. Before the door closed behind me, I noticed that though her mouth was curved into a pleasant smile, there was a curious glint in her green eyes.

~

I resolved to take a walk on my bride’s property whilst she bathed, hoping to arrange my jumbled and confused thoughts into some semblance of order.

Part of me wondered if last night’s events had been a dream.