AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Of course. Who do you think made him the Lord of a hundred vineyards.”
She nodded a little. “Interesting. So are you two really close?”
“Yes. I mean no,” he quickly followed up. “I mean, he doesn’t know…the precise details of my past if that’s what you mean. You’re the only one.”
Eloise offered a sympathetic smile for support. She understood why. Just as she, sharing personal events with others was difficult. The scandal with Sir George who fooled her was one of those things. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had the luxury to keep it hidden.
“Let’s not dwell on it, though. We still have a game to play.” He returned to his position, and she did the same.
And this time, Simon seemed more determined and less distracted than her as he clenched his muscles and gazed at her torso—perhaps aiming where to hit. They restarted, and Simon was drifting like smoke as she struggled to avoid his hit. In a flash, the epee touched her lightly.
“My turn,” he said, as he leaned on his epee and smiled. “Do you like me?”
Eloise stumbled back, a nervous giggle escaping her lips. Her thoughts were foggy as she struggled to think of an appropriate response to his question, afraid that anything she would say could be used to her disadvantage. She was shaken up.
“T-that is an…odd question,” she stammered, buying herself a little more time.
“One I would like the answer to,” he insisted. “Do you like me romantically?”
“Uh…I.,” she cleared her throat, “Can I change the question?”
“No.”
She tightened her fists, her lips going dry. “You changed yours,” she said loudly. “I didn’t seem to mind when you failed to confess to your…your rakish behaviors.”
He took a step closer to her, closing the space between them. “If I didn’t know any better,” he said in a low voice and with a smirk, “I’d say you were jealous.”
Crimson found its way to her cheek, both out of shame and frustration. “Yes. Of course, I’m jealous. We spent a night together in your bed, so I think I ought to know who else you’ve shared it with!”
“Oh, I never bring women back to the Castle. And I simply don’t want you to feel bad when you hear the number,” he confessed.
He was back to being serious again, and she gazed into his eyes for longer than she should. She didn’t mean to act like this. It was childish, unladylike, and hypocritical in a way, but for some inexplicable reason, she couldn’t help herself.
“I’m not hiding anything from you, as I said before, if that’s what you’re afraid of. And I’m not seeing anyone now.” His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her soft skin. She could feel his warm breath against her forehead, and she wanted to close the gap between them even further; tiptoe up and have her lips touch his. Moments like these made her feel like she did truly belong to him. But just then, his other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her inches away from his lips. “And I don’t know if I will. Because I think I have found some—”
“Your Grace!” Richard’s voice accompanied by a thundering door knocker filled the room, tearing them apart like the stems of a flower. Eloise stepped as far back as possible, her eyes falling to her attire—she was still in her underwear!
Oh, they would get caught. This time for sure. And the rumors would spread like wildfire…
