Not thinking, indeed. If only Aldous knew the half of it. If only anyone could know the full truth of what had happened last night, and could offer some sympathy or advice — but that was impossible. Ben had to accept that whatever role he had played in leading to this elopement had ruined Melody's life enough, and the last thing he could do was isolate her further. Particularly when he didn't even know whether what he remember of last night was the full story, or correct.

"There's not much I can do, is there?" he asked, miserably. Annulment wasn't an option, and he couldn't even consider divorcing her. The only thing left was to be a husband — Merlin help him.

"But I — I mean, I want to do the best I can. Or at least try to. But I can't — I don't even have a place for her to live."