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She glanced down at her watch, a sensible-looking Patek Philippe, and nodded thoughtfully. “I should make it if you drop me off the port—-”

“No need,” the marquis interjected. “It would be best if I take you there. Your sisters would appreciate an early rest, surely.”

Fleur suddenly yawned. “I am feeling a little tired.”

Aurora touched her forehead. “And I’ve a bit of a headache, to be honest.”

Soleil stared at them stoically. “You do know that you two are theworstactresses in history, do you not?”

But the two younger women ignored her and instead turned to the marquis. Curtsying at the same time, they murmured, “Milord.”

Soleil glared. “Oh, for fudge’s sake!”

The marquis ignored her, too, bowing as he murmured, “Miladies.” But his arm shot forward at the same time, barring Soleil from trying to escape.

When he straightened, she told him, “But my dress is in our carriage, and I still have to change—-”

Ilie cocked his head to the side, and then a moment later, he murmured, “My coachman has already retrieved it.”

She stared at him in consternation.

“Whatever their reasons,” he said coaxingly, “you must admit that theywillbenefit from an early night. Do you truly desire them to accompany you to the port when they don’t have to?”

Drat this man.

He knew just which strings to pull to have her do what he wanted.

“I despise you,” Soleil mumbled.

He brought her hand to his lips. “I thought you’d see it my way.”

The four of them parted ways when they reached their respective carriages, with her sisters blowing her kisses and pretending to sniff back tears like they were about to send Soleil off with her bridegroom.

“You two are going to pay for this,” Soleil vowed.

Fleur poked her head out of the carriage’s window and cupped a hand over her ear. “What was that, sister dear? I’m afraid I can’t—-”

Aurora yanked their baby sister back inside the carriage. “Don’t push it.” To the coachman, she said firmly, “Let’s go, sirrah.”

As the two carriages headed off in opposite directions, Soleil settled herself back on her seat, placed her hands on her lap, and slowly glanced up to meet the gaze of her companion.

“I have recently come to a realization that I wish to share with you, milady.”

“Oh?”

He nodded solemnly. “It is a matter that must be rectified immediately.”

Soleil frowned, trying to think of such a matter. “What is it?”

“While I’ve already made you come twice—-”

She choked.

“—-there is something I have not done yet.”

Now, she knew exactly what he was talking about, but she wished she didn’t because the matter was quite, quite embarrassing.

Their gazes met, and when she saw his knowing smile, she knew he was explicitly aware of the reason behind her pink cheeks.