“Oh I am terribly sorry Mr Crossridge,” Ailsa said with utter sincerity, taking his hand in hers and giving him a small squeeze, as though the loss had happened mere days ago, but to Ailsa’s mind grief was no respecter of time. He was far too handsome to be alone, there had to be young ladies a plenty who would be delighted to find such a husband, but perhaps his heart had been utterly broken, she thought, her own heart swooning a little at such a romantic thought.

“Do you have children? I believe I would rely on them more than ever before if anything were to happen to my husband,” the very thought of which was enough to make her unnerved.

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