Page 37 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
He covered his mouth in a vain attempt to stifle a snort.
Sugar and citrus filled Edith’s nose as the shopkeeper weighed their sweets. Tilly darted around the shop, eyeing every tempting variety and occasionally asking Laurence if she could try different varieties to compare to the lemon drops.
“You can try two more,” Laurence allowed.
Tilly beamed. She stood before the sweets counter with her brow furrowed, debating between the marzipan and praline.
Edith watched, and for a few moments, she felt like she was part of a family, and allowed her tense shoulders to relax. The spell was broken when she noticed the shopkeeper observing Laurence and Tilly with a mixture of fear and pity. She clenched her hands into fists at her sides.
“Ignore them,” Laurence murmured into her ear.
Although a delightful shiver ran up her spine, and goosebumps broke over her skin at the caress of his warm breath, she was unable to ignore the anger she felt at the shopkeeper’s attitude.
“Why?” she whispered back. “I take great offense at how he looks at you both.”
“We must choose our battles,” Laurence replied, his lips brushing the tip of her ear. “And there are some, like outside,that we fight. However, this one isn’t a battle we will be fighting. He wants to help.”
“But—”
“I know,” Laurence murmured. “I know all too well.”
Edith watched him as he straightened to his full height. Something in her gut twisted at the thought that he was far too used to people’s disparaging glances.
He was a duke. He should have been the one person who could put an end to their scorn. Instead, even the commoners made disrespectful remarks that they did not bother to hide.
What a lonely life this man lives, when even a duke cannot find a kind eye.
The trio began their stroll back to the castle. Tilly clutched her sweets, standing tall and grinning widely.
“Did you mean what you said, Your Grace?” she asked.
“About what?”
“About growling at your reflection.”
“Indeed.” Laurence nodded, his expression serious.
“Does it work?”
“Yes, my reflection has become remarkably well-behaved.”
Edith couldn’t help but smile at the interaction.
Tilly burst into a fit of giggles, then stood straight and cleared her throat. “Do I have good posture, Your Grace?” she asked, looking up at Laurence.
“Hmm…” He looked at her as she walked. “I’d say it is… improving.”
Tilly beamed and looked up at Edith expectantly.
“No,” Edith laughed. Laurence frowned, confused. “She’s looking at me to ask if she can have a lemon drop.”
Laurence smirked. “What did I say about not becoming spoiled?”
The little girl pouted. “I’m doing good though,” she mumbled.
“You are,” Edith said warmly. “But you also need to learn patience. You can have one if you keep walking like this all the way home.”
“All right,” Tilly relented, still a little disappointed but recovering.
