Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“I—” I stopped when he kissed my hand and turned. “Yes, of course.”
He threw me the tiniest of smiles over his shoulder before he disappeared past the bushes, but that was all it took.
A blush flooded my neck and face, and I dropped back onto the bench, pressing my cheeks to my hands. My letter floated to my feet, and I merely stayed here, staring after the ghost of him walking away.
What the hell was all that?
Chapter Twenty-One
The Grand Duke’s Dark Side
“Please make sure these are sent out today,” I said to Lydia, handing her my small stack of letters.
Not only did I have my reply to Viscountess Evsea in the pile, I’d also written to Marquess Talwick thanking him for his support, plus the other three nobles who were considering the policy. And, while I was at it, I’d written to all my friends back in the capital to assure them I was doing fine and would see them soon at the hunting competition.
And yes, my hand hurt. If they weren’t so personal, I’d have had Bella assist me.
“Yes, my lady,” Lydia said, taking the bundle of envelopes from me. “I’ll do it immediately.”
“Thank you.” I beamed at her, then turned to Bella. “What’s that in your hand?”
“Ah, Sir Hayes caught me on my way over here.” She put the envelope in front of me. “Apparently, this is the shortlist he drew up for your chief aide for your consideration.”
“Oh, right. His Highness did mention that to me in the garden yesterday.”
Her eyes twinkled at my words. “Oho, did he?”
“Bella, if you’d like to daydream, go and read a romance novel.”
I was not going to talk about whatever the hell that was in the garden yesterday. I couldn’t make sense of it, so I was opting to ignore it instead. I was sure he was only messing with me.
There was no way that man was obsessed with me, right?
Exactly.
I opened the envelope and scanned the little note Sir Hayes had added, telling me to choose my top three candidates for an interview.
Right.
This shouldn’t be too difficult.
It wasn’t the first time I’d hired an assistant.
I pulled out the contents and looked them over. There were eight options, all of noble birth—some heirs, some second or third born, and all qualified.
And all men.
“Bella.”
She looked up from the monster book she’d been reading. “Yes, my lady?”
“Did Sir Hayes say where the Grand Duke was?”
“In his office, I believe.”
“Excellent. Let’s take a walk, shall we?” I swept up the papers and tucked them against my body as I stood.
Bella hurriedly put down the book and darted to the door to open it for me. The Grand Duke’s wing was in the northern section of the castle with the western area blocked off for governmental affairs, which was quite convenient for me being on the east side.
“Lady Alicia.” The knight standing guard outside Kalon’s office bowed.
“I’m here to see the Grand Duke,” I said.
He shifted uncomfortably. “His Highness is very busy and—”
“I don’t remember phrasing it as a question.” I knocked twice on the door before pushing it open, and the three men inside all stilled and looked at me. “Forgive my interruption.”
Kalon raised his eyebrows. “What brings you here in such a rush, darling?”
Ugh.
Darling, my arse.
I wanted to roll these papers up and smack his handsome face silly.
“I need to speak with you about this.” I held them up instead of turning them into a weapon.
“Of course.” He turned to the young man next to him. “Sir Leslie, have you met my fiancée yet?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t had the pleasure, no, Your Highness.” He turned to me and bowed. “Sir Leslie Brewford, my lady. I’m a knight of House Morver.”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Leslie. I’m Lady Alicia Vermillion.” I smiled. “I apologise for interrupting your meeting.”
“Not at all, I was only delivering a letter from my lord. Now that I’ve done so, I’ll take my leave.” He turned back to Kalon. “I will pass your message on to Count Morver, Your Highness.”
Kalon nodded. “You may leave. Hayes, Bella, give us a moment.”
“Yes, sir.” Sir Hayes ushered the other two out of the room and shut the door firmly behind them.
Kalon sat back in his chair and met my gaze. “It appears my guard is lacking for you to be able to waltz in here as you please.”
I waved my hand. “Do you really think one lousy knight could get in my way? Sir Hayes himself would have trouble stopping me.”
“Did you desire to see me that badly?”
“If the thought of it makes you happy, I’ll allow such delusions.” I crossed the office and slapped the papers down on his desk. “What is this?”
He slid them towards him. “It looks like the shortlist for your chief aide that Sir Hayes delivered to you this morning.”