Eric wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
"May I offer you a bit of advice?"
"What is it?"
"Relax. I'm speaking as your husband, not as the Marquis of Tuscany. This isn't about Tuscan affairs, but just about you, Matilda, as a person. Actually, it's not so much advice as a question."
"I can listen. Just listen. Merely as your wife."
"Do you ever laugh? I don't think I've ever seen you do it."
"Because Christ never laughed. John Chrysostom said so." Matilda lifted her chin, pleased with her answer.
"His humanity doesn't forbid laughter. Man is meant to laugh."
"The Son of Man could have laughed, but the Bible never records that He did."
"Eat, for the dish is good."
"What?"
"A work by Ambrose. That's what Saint Lawrence said to his executioners. He was a man who understood laughter and humor, even if it was to humiliate his enemies." As he spoke, Eric leaned in close to her face, looking at her with a smile.
His meaning was clear.
