Chapter 57

Eden gathered the crumpled sheets around her. It was better to change the subject.

“Tell me what the bishop said to you when you met him?”

“He was very understanding, a little tetchy when he heard about the baby, but he didn't admonish me. Nor did he seem surprised when I told him about your father's absurd fury. He'd come to the same conclusions I had, from reading his letters. In any case," he pointed out, "the fact that you're old enough to marry without having to ask his permission is indisputable. He will therefore reply that the marriage is perfectly legal and will not communicate the matter to his diocese.”

Eden let out a long sigh of relief. Heaven be praised.

 The fear of the scandal and embarrassment Ian might have found himself in, had the bishop not been accommodating, had kept her awake all night. 

If only her father would accept his marriage Eden wasn't asking for his forgiveness, just his indifference.

“However, the bishop