Parting from my lips he said, “And youarespecial, Princess. Just so it’s known. That’s why I don’t wish to ruin our time together and why I feel so protective of our connection.”
“I see,” I whispered. “Ugh. It worked on me anyway!”
He was pleased. He curved his fingertips along my ear and neck, drawing a long line until it swept from my collarbone, then his hand caressed my jaw and he pulled me back into a kiss.
When we parted. He said, “You’ve gotten me alone. We’ve talked. I’ve kissed you more than once. Are you satisfied, Princess?”
I nodded.
“Good. Then I’ll find your cousin,” he said. “I’d hate to abuse his faith in us.”
Chapter 12
The evening’s ball was less fantastic than the first had been, or the social season had lost its glimmer somewhere in the haze of indiscretions. That, or I was simply and selfishly disinterested in the daily routines of ladies in Chalke, while the memory of Mr. Evergreen lingered upon my lips.
Regardless, my fiancé didn’t notice or he didn’t care. He was too focused on the portrayal of our act.
“I’d say blush was your color,” he told me.
“Thank you, sir,” I said in response, and in response to every compliment he gave.
“Your braid is neat, today,” he chose. “Did your maid tie it differently?”
“No.”
“Would you like to dance?”
He collected my hand before I could decline, and he pulled me to the floor. There were many eyes.
“You’resportingtonight, Your Highness,” I said. “Did you have a nice time with your Lady Agatha?”
I’m sure I’d struck a nerve but he didn’t say. He smiled toward someone who’d greeted us, then twirled me and when I was back in his charge, he changed the subject.
“How is breaking Ice coming along?” he asked.
“Ah,nowyou’ve remembered her name,” I remarked.
“Hard not to,” he said. “You did correct me for it, love.”
Another face appeared beside us, wishing the ‘happy couple’ a beautiful and long-lasting holy matrimony. I felt ill.
“How is my Cyrus anyway?”
“What?”
“Cyrus? You saw him earlier, didn’t you? I think I might be jealous of how often you see the man. I used to be his favorite.”
“Ice is coming along,” I said.
“Great. And tomorrow? What are you doing then?”
“I suppose the same as we did today. We take Daniel and Jocelyn now,” I said.
“Daniel?” he asked.
“My cousin.”
“Who?”
