Page 80 of Hawthorne

“Anyway,” I try, going back to the original subject. “How in the hell are you twenty-two and only now going on a date for the first time?”

Her porcelain-like cheeks turn crimson, “Well, no one had asked until now.”

“What?” I gasp, offended. “These men don’t know how to spot a beautiful woman even when it’s right in front of their eyes.”

She giggles and goes back to the batter.

“Oh, Camilla!” she exclaims. “The butler left a letter for you just a couple of minutes ago. It should be on the counter of the island.”

“Thank you.” I pat her shoulder, letting her finish the cake batter. “You’re a darling.”

The first thing I notice on the envelope is my college’s logo. It makes me frown because it’s been a while since I finished. There’s no reason for letters anymore. Still, the curiosity takes the best of me, and I open it, revealing a beautiful piece of paper framed with floral decorations.

An invitation.

It’s inviting me to a reunion gala on the fifth of November—exactly a week from today.

To be able to go to Livia and meet with old friends that sometimes I wish I would have stayed in touch with is extremely appealing. Not to mention the opportunity to get out of this house for a bit.

It could give me some clarity on everything...

Hopefully, the duke will give me two days off so I can go and have fun for once.

“Mariah, do you have everything under control?”

“Yes. Why?” She eyes my letter curiously, and I suppress the urge to chuckle.

She means well, but sometimes, curiosity just gets the best of people. I get it; it has happened to me, too. It’s hard not to know each other’s business at times.

“I have a college reunion. I was going to meet with the duke and see if he could spare me a couple of days off so I can go,” I explain.

“Oh, that’s marvellous.” She grins. “Go, go. I got it, miss.”

Crossing the hall, I head to the staircase. However, before I can climb up and meet Vincent in his office, someone grabs my arm and pulls me roughly. It’s only when a door locks I realise I’ve just been pulled into one of the private rooms by...

“Oh, god,” I sigh in relief.

Vincent.

“You scared me,” I scold him.

“That was the point.” He smirks, pulling my body to him.

“What are you doing? It’s the middle of the day. The house is filled with people.”

“I missed you,” he breathes into my neck before giving it a peck.

“I was...going...to your...office,” I pant as his lips scatter across my skin, between the neck and the shoulder.

“So, you were missing me as well?” I swear I can feel his smirk against my skin.

“Well, I—” I hesitate.

I always want to be with him, of course, but do I want to admit that?

“I wanted to make a request,” I admit.

Might be easier to get it off my chest right away.

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