Chapter 38

Eden saw that Ian was looking at her intently, and wondered if Lucas could have guessed that she had tender feelings for Ivan.

“But how could he? No statue of him, showing his best profile, with a group of mourning naiads at his feet? He would have loved that! laughed their cousin. Forgive me, Eden, that's not in the good taste... I'm leaving…”

Lucas smiled at her.

“I forgot that you were two lovebirds on your honeymoon... quite unusual, though, because talking about farming and cellars just a few days after the wedding is quite unusual…”

And Lucas bids them farewell, leaving them gnashing their teeth in unison.

“He's usually very tactful,” Ian said, settling down next to Eden on the sofa. “I'm sorry about that. Did it upset you?”

“Talking about Ivan’s grave? No, and after all, I'm the one who brought it up …stupidly, I admit. I didn't want to find out by surprise, and risk betraying myself. But I should have waited and asked you face to face. I j