Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
She began walking towards the drawing room, and five minutes later, she realized the marquis was indeed right.
Oh my God, what a harlot she had turned into, wanting him to kiss her so publicly!
Entering the parlor, she found her sisters and Charles waiting for her with expectant looks on their faces.
She said flatly, “No, I’m not officially his heartkeeper yet.”
Everyone burst into protest.
She raised her hand. “And I’m not going to be.”
“But why?” Aurora burst out. “He wants you, Soleil. He wouldn’t have gone around town chasing after you if he didn’t!”
“Is he a bad kisser?” Fleur blurted out. “Too...I don’t know...demonic?”
Everyone turned to look at her.
Fleur made a face. “Okay, okay, bad idea, my humblest apologies.”
Charles began, “But he’s a good fit—-”
“Not you too, Papa,” Soleil cut him off with a shake of her head. “I’m not going to be his heartkeeper, end of story. Okay?”
“Okay.” Fleur answered for the rest of the family.
Soleil’s gaze narrowed. “Okay, but? There’s a but, isn’t there?”
“But,” Fleur echoed obediently, “—-have you forgotten something?” She bit her lip. “Ilie Marcovici is the Marquis di Lunare. I don’t think he’s the type to take no for an answer if he really wants you to be his heartkeeper.”
Chapter Five
Soleil had just come down to enjoy breakfast the next day, and the first thing she saw was Ilie Marcovici seated on her father’s right. Her sisters were also there, seated opposite him, and the four of them were laughing and chatting like a happy family.
As if they didn’t know Ilie Marcovici was not human, she thought ungraciously.
Ilie was the first one to notice her, and he stood up immediately. “Good morning, milady,” he said with a bow. “I came only to call, but your father has insisted I join your family for breakfast. I hope you don’t mind?”
Hovering by the doorway, Soleil debated between forgetting her manners and pleading a sudden migraine.
But the choice was out of her hands when Charles called out, “What are you standing there for, my dear?” His pleasant voice had a note of warning in it, reminding Soleil his absolute dislike of any display of ill manners in his household.
Soleil had a rebellious urge to stomp her feet—-
About to throw a tantrum, milady? the marquis teased in her mind. This I have to see.
But instead she made her way to her father, practically gliding on her satin slippers in her effort to move with grace. Aurora and Fleur were gaping at her, as if asking Soleil if she had lost her mind and that was the reason she seemed to be dancing towards them.
Her face flamed, but she pretended not to notice her sisters’ surprise.
She bent to kiss Charles’ cheek. “Good morning, Papa.”
He beamed at her. “It’s wonderful to see you in such high spirits in the morning.”
She straightened, protesting, “Papa!”
“How surprising,” the marquis commented. “I would have thought Lady Soleil a morning person.”
Fleur wrinkled her nose. “Because she’s our fearsome leader? Yes, well, it’s the opposite.”
Aurora nodded. “She’s a bear to wake up in the mornings.”
Ilie pulled out the seat beside him, leaving her no choice but to take it. As she sat down, Ilie murmured wickedly, “Well, I will do my best to change that once we’re married.”
She looked at him in horror as he took his seat beside her. “What are you saying?” But no one seemed to hear her, with the sudden pandemonium in the dining hall. Charles was heartily shaking the marquis’ hand and clapping his hand on his back while Aurora and Fleur squealed like they were debutantes rather than the trained soldiers they were.
“I’m so thrilled for you,” Aurora told her.
She was about to protest that it was all a sham, a prank even, but then Aurora actually started sniffing back tears, and she slowly closed her mouth.
She glanced at her father, who had a serious look on his face as he insisted on giving the marquis a dowry. “I know your wealth is infinite compared to mine,” Charles was saying, “but it’s a matter of honor, you understand?” His voice became gruff. “I want the whole world to know how much my daughter means to me.”
Charles noticed her gaze on him. “I can’t wait to walk you down the aisle, dear.”
She could only smile weakly, thinking Fleur was wrong about the marquis not taking a no for an answer.
Today was proof that the marquis wasn’t even going to give her a chance to go against his wishes.
“YOU HAVE BEEN UNUSUALLY quiet.” The marquis broke the silence between them as he claimed his seat next to her on the phaeton and took the reins. In moments, they were off, the marquis having volunteered to take her to ANEX, where she had an appointment with her former adviser.
And of course he had left her with no choice about that, too, she thought. He had made the offer in her father’s presence, and naturally Charles gave his consent. If she had refused, she would have ended up embarrassing her father, and Ilie Marcovici knew very well that she wouldn’t ever do that.