Page 89 of Hawthorne

There is a loud gasp on my side. It’s Rachel’s, but he still doesn’t look away with a sombre expression.Is he mad?At this point, with how unpredictable his temper is, I wouldn’t put it past him.

What should I do to break this uncomfortable moment? Greet him as if I didn’t know him? That’s impossible. I can pretend not to know him personally, but everyone knows who the Duke of Hawthorne is…

There is a tug on my arm, and I quickly look at Rachel, her eyes widening at me, letting me know she just realised who he is…My boss.

I shake my head, letting her know not to mention that detail. No one else knows, and they really don’t need to. As if sheunderstood the assignment, she jumps into action by greeting him, giving me a couple of moments to breathe.

Her voice catches Vincent’s attention, breaking the stare-off for a few seconds with her side curtsey and sweet tone, “Your Grace, what a pleasure to meet you in person.”

Vincent eyes her up quickly, nods in acknowledgement, and mutters a, “Likewise” before turning his attention back to me.

Only when a sharp elbow hits my side do I realise how long we’ve been looking at each other. Everyone’s eyes are on the both of us, baffled.I am confused as well.

“Cami, huh?” He raises one eyebrow, making me gulp.

“Your Grace,” I give in, bowing my head slightly. “What an honour to meet you in person.”

He huffs and mutters another “Likewise”. For everyone else, it’s almost the same as he did to Rachel, but knowing him and his temper, I can detach the underlying notes of his voice—the annoyance, the jealousy.

I am so done tonight.Why do these situations keep happening?

Vincent turns his head to Oscar and Charlie, not giving me any other type of acknowledgement. It stings, but on the other hand, it is the only correct choice. To not let anyone else know we have ties binding us.

“Tell us, Charlie,” Vincent drawls. “How didCamibreak your heart?”

The saltiness in his voice irks me. Once again, his jealousy and possessiveness are taking over. This is why I wanted to stop whatever this is and why we agreed he’d keep it under control. I guess he can’t.

And we can’t keep our distance either, no matter how hard we try.

“It’s a long story,” Charlie sighs, and from the corner of my eye, I see Vincent’s jaw twitch.

“Do tell. I have all night long,” he comments, laying back on the couch as if he’s making himself comfortable. “And I’m invested now.”

He looks at me momentarily before looking back at Charlie and beckoning him to talk.

This man is a knobhead.

“Excuse me,” I cut in, annoyed. “Are you all going to talk about me as if I’m not even in the room?”

“Oh? Do we have a spitfire here?” Oscar chuckles before patting Charlie’s back. “You sure know how to choose ‘em, Charlie-boy!”

They both smirk, making me blush. Thankfully, with how dark it is, it’s barely noticeable. Someone notices, though.

I squirm, trying to get rid of this feeling of being scrutinised by three men—or rather, by Vincent—but it’s no use. He’s watching me like a hawk, and I can see his eyes zeroing in on every slight movement my body does, studying it and analysing it.

Nonetheless, I still defend myself, “No, you have a woman in front of you who will not accept being talked about as if she were just a bug under your shoe.” I make a point of looking at Vincent before looking back at Oscar and Charlie. “Nobility or not.”

“Oh, shit. I see why you broke up now.” Oscar gasps. “We’re a little low on the hierarchy, so marrying commoners is not as much of an issue to us as it is to Vincent, but, girl…just by listening to you for the last five minutes, you wouldn’t adapt!”

What?

I wouldn’t adapt? I grew up in a manor and was partially raised by the sister of a duke. It’s one thing to adjust and another, a much different one, is to bow down to them regardless. Mrs Elizabeth taught me better than that.

“Yeah,” Charlie grumbles. “Exactly.”

“Oh, now I finally know why you broke up with me, then,” I snark back, feeling slightly offended.

“What?” Oscar straightens up. “He told me you broke up with him.”

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