Chapter 49.2

The flustered librarian asked Marilyn to lower her voice, but she repaid him with a scoff and a sharp glance.

Claude’s large hand clamped over Lia’s mouth and Lia’s eyes widened in surprise. He pushed her one step back against a bookcase as he kept watch. He frowned and whispered, “How annoying.”

Lia’s initial concern gave way to embarrassment. Claude was so close, he was practically hugging her. Her eyes were frozen open. She couldn’t even blink.

“Wait like this for a bit,” he whispered with pleading eyes.

His breath, gentle on her face; his scent, swarming her senses. Is this reality or a dream?

There was no way they wouldn’t be found in this dubious hiding place, not with Marilyn’s lackeys searching the library.

With a trembling hand Lia grabbed the wrist of the hand covering her mouth. “Sir,” she whispered against his hand. He stepped even closer, if that were possible.

“Shh.”

“There’s no way we wouldn’t—.” She stopped mid sentence. He understood.

“If I can make Marilyn believe that I’m with another woman, she’ll lose interest. You won’t be exposed.”

Why did they have to do this? Although her head was spinning, Claude’s warmth and her pounding heart kept her from speaking further.

Is it sinful to want to hug him? As a man, she couldn’t risk hugging him in public. Homosexuality was considered immoral and was punishable under the law. Extreme punishment for just one hug.

Lia clutched the book. She both heard and felt Claude’s long sigh of resignation.

“For a man, you can really make someone crazy.”

His hot lips and breath were now directly on her cheek. She held her breath as his words reverberated in her mind.

“Please don’t be surprised, but I must hug you,” he whispered.

Claude ran his fingers through her hair, and wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her to him tightly.

Her heart pounded and she wondered if she were having a seizure. The book fell out of her hands and thudded on the floor.

A figure appeared behind Claude. “Your majesty, the young Duke Claude,” a servant said, bowing.

Claude’s massive body hid Lia completely.

“Sir, what is happening?”

Claude turned his head slightly and looked at Marilyn’s servant. When their eyes met, the servant bowed more deeply. He gestured towards the library’s entrance.

“The young mistress is waiting.”

“Why?”

“She would like for the two of you to attend the Princess’s engagement together.”

“Together? I’m sorry, but we had no plans to do so. Had she sent a formal request?” Claude knew no request of the kind was needed. He continued, “Please tell her that I am otherwise engaged, and that I will meet her at the party.”

The servant ran away without looking back. He must have been shocked to see the young Duke’s behavior. Arms wrapped around a woman in public!

Lia felt panic as she tried to extricate herself from Claude’s embrace. He held her tightly and looked at her calmly. “You are lying, sir,” she stated flatly, but then looked into his blue eyes and felt swallowed by them. She had promised herself many times that she would keep her distance from him, but to no avail.

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Her cheeks reddened. “Also, it is…improper… for men to be doing this. Let me go.”

“Yes. Between men. That’s a sin.”

“If you know so well—”

“If you are a real man.”

“If?” she gulped.

“Of course, you’re a man.”

He softly brushed back her bangs from her eyes, let out a long sigh, and rested his forehead on her shoulder. The difference in their size was remarkable, like a giant and a child.

“If you say you’re a man, then you must be,” he said wistfully.

Approaching footsteps broke his reverie. It must be Marilyn reacting to the news from her servant.

Lia flinched and curled up into Claude’s embrace hoping Marilyn wouldn’t see her like this.

The sun shone through the ample windows and sparkled like gems. Lia silently compared Claude’s embrace to those of Kieran and Ian. Ian, who would ask to be hugged. So very different!

Lia’s heart thumped as Marilyn’s footsteps grew louder. Whispered curses escaped Claude’s lips. He then grabbed Lia’s trembling wrist.

“Come here.”

***

Kieran and Rosina stood together in the spacious, manicured garden and observed their guests. Dressed in finery, the partygoers swirled around the honored couple, dancing to the orchestra and mingling with one another.

Lia looked at the partygoers from afar and was awed by them. Claude stood behind her with his chin resting on the top of her head, scoffing at the spectacle. The two were perched in a room atop the Prince’s Palace, where there were no guards, only toys for children.

“Isn’t it a great view? We can watch from here without being caught,” said Claude.

To Lia’s mind, Kieran and Rosina looked happy. “Where is this?” she asked.

“A place I enjoyed from time to time when I was little. The Prince, Kieran, Rosina, and I are the only ones who know of this room.”

“Is it okay for me to be here?”

“Wherever I am, you can be there too.”

He patted her head, told her to wait, and left.

Now alone, Lia touched the top of her head, still comforted by Claude’s warmth. She continued to look out the window and felt a sudden sensation, like she was a child playing hide and seek.

She then saw Claude approaching Kieran in the garden below. With the appearance of the young Duke, the atmosphere changed.

Claude whispered to Kieran. Kieran looked up to the window where Lia stood.

Their eyes met.

Joy and relief broke out across Kieran’s face.