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“I apologize for my lack of enthusiasm, Mariella,” he said, stepping away from her. “I am just not in the mood tonight.”

“But you came in such a rush.”

It was a statement, but there was also a question in it.

She put on a robe and headed to her side table to pour him a drink.

“You look like you could use a strong drink,” she said with a smile, extending the cup towards him, which he accepted. “Now, tell me, who has captured your attention?”

“Excuse me?”

“You have a floral scent on you.” She smiled. “And you look as though you are haunted by a ghost. It is quite obvious that you fear the affections of the woman who has branded you with her scent.”

“I have been in the company of many women all day,” he lied, not meeting her eyes. “It is almost inevitable that their scents would have clung to me.”

“But not like this.” She smiled knowingly. “This isn’t many scents. This isonescent. I am curious because you’re lying to me. There are no secrets between friends.”

Richard liked that she wasn’t moved to jealousy like other women would have been, but he shook his head, not wanting to think of Selina as anything other than an acquaintance.

“There is no such thing.”

“Yet, you could not touch me,” Mariella said, eying him over her cup with a smile.

“I was not in the mood for that. I only came to see how you were doing.”

“You rode all the way from the country to inquire about my well-being?” She laughed. “Are you perhaps in love withme, Your Grace?”

He rolled his eyes at her. “I can never keep much from you, can I?” he asked with an exasperated sigh.

“You can never keepanythingfrom me,” she corrected. “Now, tell me. Which female has got you as confused as you are? I need to meet her.”

Richard raised an eyebrow and tried to imagine Selina and Mariella meeting. They were such polar opposites that he knew they would not get along, yet it might surprise him if they would. What would they bond over? Knowing how well he could use his tongue to bring a woman pleasure?

That didn’t seem like a good topic of conversation.

“There is no female except my mother who vexes me,” he answered, sliding into one of the plush cushions in her room.

She chuckled, sliding into his lap. He leaned back in his seat and wrapped a hand around her waist, splaying his fingers over her hip.

“That is old news.”

“It is,” he affirmed. “I only needed a distraction, which you have provided.”

“Hmm.” She smiled.

“Will you be returning home with me tonight, then?” she asked boldly, sliding out of his lap. “My desire has been stoked, yet you refuse to put out the flames.”

“I’m afraid I will have to decline.” He smiled, rising to take his leave.

“You’re sure I cannot tempt you, Your Grace?” she asked, pulling her robe down one shoulder.

“You tempt me enough.”

She smiled and shrugged the garment back into place. “I suspect this will be the last time we see each other,” she stated. “In this way, I mean.”

He sighed, nodding. “It has to be. I might have to wed soon, if I choose to honour the desire of my predecessors and I do not encourage adultery.”

“Even if your wife cannot keep your bed sufficiently warm?” she teased.