His head twitched.
Damn.
Dad-not-Dad told me they had more than one god here.
“My…mygods,” I covered.
“Am I being dramatic, Lady Maxine?”he asked.
“I didn’t know about your mother and sister.”
“Everybody knows about my mother and sister.”
Although I knew how to wear a hat and how to address a duke,this very important fact about my husband-to-be had not been covered in mytutelage, thank you so much (not), Dad-not-Dad.
“I’ve been away inFleuridiaatschool, your grace, until very recently.Father wanted me to stay down there,especially during the troubles, and I became enamored of my studies.He isn’tmuch of a correspondent, and I didn’t get a great deal of news from home.I’msorry, but I really did not know,” I told him.
“You’ve been away inFleuridia,”he stated.
And he did thisdubiously.
Oh boy.
Why would he be dubious?
I mean, of course he should.I not only wasn’t his fiancée,I wasn’t even of his world, and I intended to play him and then disappear.
But why would he be?
“Yes, I extended my studies there.”God, how to rattle thisoff without sounding like I was rattling it off?“Art history and—”
“It matters not whether you know art.What matters is if youhave a fertile womb and know how to host a party.”
Record scratch and repeat.
Oh no he…did…not.
But he did.
And he kept going.
“And you have the sense not to run out into the rain.Andyou know your place in a household, or perhaps more importantly, a servant’splace.But you have enough of a hold onyourplace never to speak tome in the manner you address your sire.”
“I would certainly not speak to you that way,” I saidsoftly.
“I should hope not,” he replied.
“Unless you were acting like an utter ass, as you are now.On those occasions, I make no promises.”
His eyes flared.
“Now, sir, step away from me.”
“Considering we’re set to spend the rest of our livestogether, there are things we should discuss.”
“And we shall do that,” I retorted.“When I’m not soppingwet and…” I got up on my toes, “insanelyangry at you.”
His brows flew up.
