“Angry atme?”
“Allow me to make one thing clear, your grace.”
He didn’t move away even if he gave a sense of settling in.
“And that would be?”he prompted.
“I have been living on my own, in charge of myself, for sometime.I am more than likely not what you’re accustomed to in this world.”
“This world?”
Shit.
“Country.Hawkvale.Whatever,”I snapped.“I am independent.I know my own mind.If I feel the need to speakit, I…um…shall.Now, allow me to assure you, Ikillathosting a party.”
“Kill?”
“I murder a party, as in, I’m bloody good at throwing one.”
“Excellent,” he muttered, his gaze beginning to drift overmy face.
“And I have a variety of things to say about servants, andthe bourgeoisie, but I suggest we save those for another time as there is notonly a variety, but also a great deal to be said.”
“Mm,” he hummed.Then asked, “Bourgeoisie?”
“That would beyou,” I stated.
“And you, dear heart,” he retorted.“And I’ll add, veryFleuridianof you.”
I had figured out, in some of Dad-not-Dad’s teaching, thatinFleuridia, the country south ofHawkvalewhere I was supposed to have spent the last twentyyears of my life, they spoke French.
Though they didn’t call it French, of course.
Sadly, I did not speak French, which I worried wouldeventually be awkward to explain.
But that wasn’t for now.
“We’re getting off topic,” I warned.
“Are we?”
“I’m enumerating all the fabulous things you’ll get when youget me, regardless of my fear that you won’t think they’re fabulous.”
“Indeed.Fleuridiais known forproducing headstrong females.”
“Oh my God…zzzzz,” Ihissed.“Did you just use the word ‘headstrong’?”
“Do not fear, Countess, I’m changing my mind about themanner in which I’ll allow you to address me.”
“A-allow?”I choked.
His eyes settled on my mouth.“Do you need me to stroke yourback?”
My nipples suddenly perked up.
“Why on earth would I need that?”
His gaze came to my own.“You seem to be choking on yourwords.”
