Thistle and Roses Collection by Knight Eliza

Author:Knight, Eliza
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“What is it you find so offensive about me?”

Lady Maxwell’s question caught Sebastien off-guard. Everything about her struck him unaware. When the two of them were alone, she seemed willing to shun society’s edicts on behavior and be herself. Normally, Sebastien would have been impressed with a woman who knew who she was and didn’t mind showing it. But he was too stunned by her question and how to go about answering her to appreciate that attribute.

“I do not find you offensive in the least. Quite the opposite, in fact.” Of all the… What possessed him to admit such to her?

The lady took a step back, her striking blue eyes widening and the circle forming on her plump, pink lips enough to make him draw in a breath. He wanted to kiss her. To cover her mouth with his and taste all she had to offer.

He was doomed.

“Then why…” She chewed her lip and looked away, a fresh wave of red kissing her cheeks.

They stood to the side of the room, sipping their wine, enough away from the crush that not every word could be discerned, but not far enough that they weren’t beginning to draw attention.

Sebastien drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I have forgotten myself, Lady Maxwell. I have been most ungentlemanly since we first met. I do not mean to say the sword and ring are the only reason I would marry. There is no excuse for the offense I have caused, other than I have been away from court for quite some time and seem to have lost my manners along the way.”

“Where have you been?” She sipped her wine and gazed at him over the rim of her cup with curious eyes, just as glad as he was for the change in subject.

“Before my father passed, I spent my days as a royal envoy, traveling to various foreign courts for the queen.”

She raised a saucy brow. “But you said a moment ago you’d been away from court for far too long.”

Sebastien grinned, not wanting to give too much away. He’d been an envoy for the queen, but his line of work had not exactly involved engaging in social interaction. “Right you are. I spent most of my time in negotiations rather than flirtations.”

A smile touched her lips and she ducked her head to gaze at the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes once more. “Why have you returned?”

“My father passed away a fortnight ago. The queen recalled me to court to accept my new title as Earl of Bedford. There is much to do with my estates, but also my mother needs me.”

A flash of sentiment came into her eyes. “She is ill.”

“How did you know that?”

She nodded toward one of the ladies dancing. “Mary told me. She said your mother served the queen but had taken ill. I do hope she recovers soon.”

Sebastien gave a curt nod, not wanting to discuss his mother’s health. “Her absence is one of the reasons you were chosen to be a maid of honor to Her Majesty.

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