Page 108 of Ashen Torment
“I am no young debutante, Viscount,” she says firmly, “I already know what I want.”
I raise an eyebrow, tilting my head slightly toward her. “And what is it you want?”
“What do you believe?”
I look through the hedges before us. “I believe you wish to please my mother.”
I stand up.
“Listen, I do not know what the Viscountess has told you, but it is not her place to choose my bride for me.”
She rises gracefully, the smile on her lips remaining unaltered, and the light wind moves a few strands of her golden hair.
“I know, I am not asking you to take me as your wife tomorrow.”
I sigh, my shoulders dropping slightly.
“Let us spend time together,” she says, taking a step closer. “Perhaps you will find you enjoy my company.”
My gaze slides again along the skin left exposed by the corset of her dress.
“I must tell you the truth, Mademoiselle, I am very busy.”
“I understand that,” she is quick to say, “however... I am confident you will find time for me.”
“You are asking me to court you.”
“I have no need for courtships, Viscount. Only a bit of your time.”
“You resemble Julian.”
“I hope that is not an offense.”
“I would never presume, Mademoiselle.”
She laughs, a light sound that mingles with the rustle of the wind in the hedges, then turns her gaze toward the manor.
“It is a pity Lady Isobel did not come.”
“Isobel?” I ask, leaning slightly toward her.
“Yes,” she replies, “she will be very disappointed when she hears that Lord Vasiliev Ashford was here and she missed him.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“They say,” her voice softens, “there is a certain liking between the two.”
“I knew Lady Isobel had an interest in Lord Dorian, not that it was reciprocated by him as well.”
“I believe it is. He is very kind to her, you know?”
“Kind?”
“Yes. Kind, thoughtful, attentive.”
My gaze drops to the gravel between our shoes. I feel a slight annoyance tightening at my temples.
That arrogant bastard? Kind?
