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Alcott steps closer, his pale gaze studying my face with unnerving attention. “Did you enjoy it?”

“My hunt?” I question.

“His attention,” he states matter-of-factly.

The question is too smooth, too careful.

I smile without warmth and cock my head to the side to study Alcott. “Would that bother you?”

Alcott’s answering smile is sharp enough to cut thread. “Immensely.”

The honesty lands between us.

I look away first.

“Where is Edward?” The question escapes before I can stop it.

Both men notice. Of course they do. Lazarus’s brows lift. Alcott’s amusement softens into something harder to read.

“He is occupied,” Alcott says.

“With what?” My question comes out softer than intended.

“Pretending.” One word that stabs me, sparks my curiosity, and my stomach tightens.

“Pretending what?” I ask.

“That he does not think of you.” The answer is too quiet for Alcott. Too direct.

For a moment, his expression shifts. Not into mockery. Not into cruelty. Something almost protective.

Then he ruins it with a smile and explains, “He is dreadful at it, naturally.”

I tell myself the relief I feel is meaningless.

I fail to convince myself.

Lazarus leans one hip against the table and folds his arms, stifling his pout. “We may have missed you.”

“You may have?” Raising an eyebrow, I look into his eyes to find comfort.

“Terribly,” Lazarus states.

Alcott sighs. “He means constantly. It has been insufferable.”

“You are one to speak,” Lazarus says. “You mentioned her twice over breakfast.”

“I was discussing her strategic value,” he replies with overstretched hands, frustration on his face at being called out.

“You were discussing her mouth.” Lazarus rolls his eyes at Alcott.

A beat of silence stills between us until Alcott answers, his gaze flicking to me. “So I was.”

Heat coils low in my stomach. I despise every part of this. Mostly because I do not despise it nearly enough. I step fully into the pavilion and let the curtain fall closed behind me.

“Let us be clear,” I say. “You did not come here because you wished to help.”

Lazarus opens his mouth.