Page 69 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

“No, none that I can think of.”

Christian squeezed his eyes shut. “She can’t be planning to find Sophie.”

“Why not?”

“Because Sophie has been dead for years.”

Thalia blinked, confused. “So… so you do know a Sophie. Or did, rather. Well, why not visit where she used to live? See if Laura is there.”

“You don’t understand.”

“So make me understand. Explain. Who was this woman? How did she die? Why does Laura want to meet her?”

He shook his head tightly, turning away. “Don’t concern yourself with this, Thalia. It doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter? But Laura⁠—”

“I don’t see how you can help me any further,” he said briskly, briefly meeting her eyes then turning away. “I’ll keep my end of our bargain, don’t worry, but there’s no need for you to translate further. Give me back the notes if you please.”

Thalia stared up at him for a moment, waiting for him to smile or shake his head, or give an indication that he was joking. Nothing came, so she dug wordlessly into her pocket and pulled out the remainder of the notes, most of them untranslated. It wasn’t the German that had given her trouble; it was Laura’s terrible handwriting.

“Thank you,” he responded and seemed to mean it. Executing a brief bow, he pocketed the notes and turned to leave.

“Wait a moment,” she burst out.

He paused, glancing back over his shoulder at her.

Clearing her throat, Thalia folded her hands in front of her waist and met his eyes squarely. “If you need anything, Christian, I could help. I will help. I mean it.”

His eyes bored into her. “Help?”

“Yes, help. That’s what friends do, isn’t it? And I can’t help but think that w-we are… we are…” She paused, swallowing and trying unsuccessfully to stop her face from flushing. “… friends.”

He stared at her for a long moment, then a slow smile crept onto his face. “Friends? I’m not sure, my dear Lady Thalia, that anybody who has moaned my name as sweetly as you have would content themselves with the mere status of friend.”

Color rushed to her face, betraying her. Coughing thinly, Thalia forced herself to continue.

“Your flirting will do you no good, Your Grace.”

“Oh no? The sounds haunt me, my dear. A memory I will carry for quite a while.”

She folded her arms tightly. “You are changing the subject. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

His smile wavered, just a little, but he turned away before she could get a good look at his face.

“I meant what I said,” she insisted, trying and failing to catch his eye. “I want to help you. I want to help Laura.”

He clenched his fists, still not meeting her gaze. “You’re very kind,” he said brusquely, almost vaguely.

Since he refused to look at her, Thalia decided to make him look at her. She stepped in front of him, hands on her hips.

“You are helping me more than you could possibly know with this betrothal,” she said quietly. “Let me help you in return.”

He looked at her at last, gaze lingering for a long moment. She tilted up her chin, forcing herself to wait until he spoke. Or at least, she tried.

“Please,” she whispered after a moment. “Let me help. If not for your own sake, then at least for Laura’s.”

He let out a long breath, then offered a tight smile. “You’ve helped more than you know, Thalia. I mean that. I am simply trying to make you feel better. I suspect this search has led to a dead end. I hope it is not true, but I am afraid it is. But tell me, since we are speaking so frankly with each other. Why do you simply refuse to marry?”