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His gaze drifted back to his heartkeeper She was dressed in a gown of lilac silk, and he scohen he noticed ho the neckline was, revealingbreasts were his, and he was determined the day wouldn’t end until she knew this, too

He saw her turn the page of her book Her eyes widened a moment later, and a blush of pink touched her cheeks

Was that really poetry she was reading, he wondered, intrigued

Leaning back against his seat, the marquis crossed his arms over his chest and considered his options If she truly was a ros by the book and court her with the full works – flowers, chocolate, and other trinkets, escorting her to parties and inviting her for a walk in the park, the likes

She would appreciate that, wouldn’t she?

She probably would, but the problem was, that was not Ilie’s style at all

He had always liked going against the rules, and the idea that he would have to actually bon to custom chafed

Might there be a coht it be possible that he be allowed to court her in private and—-

His nostrils suddenly flared, his wolf instincts catching the scent of another predator – so to poach on his territory His gaze swung sharply back to her, and that hen he saw a rakish-looking noble her up

“LADY SOLEIL?”

Soleil snapped her book shut, cheeks flushing as she looked up It was Sir Reginald, considered one of this Season’s better catches What he lacked in terms of titles, he made up with his considerable fortune

“Good afternoon, sir,” she murmured as he bowed

He s, “My day’s complete now that my eyes have rested upon you, milady”

“Here we go again, htly

His gaze slid curiously to her book “What’s this you’re reading?”

Before she could answer, the knight was already reaching to pick it up—-

No!

She would be ruined if anyone found out what she was reading!

Soleil hurriedly reached for the book, and their fingers touched

A gasp escaped her She had held eting to kill This was totally different

But before either of them could yank their hands away, another hand appeared and the book disappeared frorasps

She gasped again, twisting to see who it was, and a third gasp escaped her when the ave her a lazy smile