The Dragon Duke's Heir Contract novel · Chapter 10 of 24
Chapter 10: Asking
Ysolene's father came up the cliff road at sunset in a hired cart, sitting very upright with his hat on his knee.
She was down the steps and across the yard before the horse stopped.
"Papa."
"Ysolene. Mind the coat. It's the only one I have."
He smelled of the tower, and she didn't care.
He was thin enough that she could feel his ribs through the wool, and she held on until he patted her back.
"There, there. They gave me a bath and a boiled egg at the gate."
"I wanted to complain about the egg, but I wasn't brave enough."
She laughed and cried at once.
Valerian had come out onto the top step.
He didn't descend.
He stood with his hands behind his back, courteous and cool, and bowed.
"Baron Hartlow. You are welcome here for as long as you wish."
"There is a cottage on the east road, if you'd prefer your own roof."
"Your Grace." The baron studied him with the sharp eyes she knew. "I owe you a debt I can't pay in coin."
"You owe me nothing."
"I'd be a fool not to notice that you called it a debt of mine, and then said it wasn't."
Valerian's mouth moved slightly.
"I will see you at dinner."
He went in, and the baron watched him go with his head on one side.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–6 of The Dragon Duke's Heir Contract are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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