Chapter 50 - Chapter 50:

A tight coil of dread formed in my stomach. The Royal Marriages Law, enacted in 1732, was the archaic law requiring monarchs to marry someone of noble blood. It was the reason Michael abdicated, and I'd avoided thinking about it as much as possible because it meant my chances of marrying for love were slim to none. It wasn 't simply a matter of finding a nobleman I liked. Potential marriage partners were chosen for maximum political gain, and I wasn't naïve enough to hope for a love match. "I don't have to marry yet." I fought to keep the tremble out of my voice. "I have time—" "I wish that were true." Edvar d's face creased with a mixtu re of guilt and trepidation.