Ermanno didn't return to the city until a full two weeks later. He didn't even stop to change out of his overcoat before rushing through the estate, past the soldiers who straightened at his approach, through the hall where the household staff went silent, and into the bedroom.
God only knew how desperately he'd missed that little woman he could never love enough, his darling moon, the one he wanted to pull into his very bones.
But when he pushed open the door, it was a different woman who looked up, one hand cradling her belly with a coy smile. Ermanno's heart plummeted.
"What are you doing in Gioia's room?"
