The Villainess Offered an Apology, the Duke Wanted the Truth novel · Chapter 18 of 24
Chapter 18: No Card in the Water
Tavrian found Maerielle beside the fountain without a dance card in her hands.
She had brought a book she actually liked and closed it when he approached.
He looked at the cover, then at her face.
"No armor tonight?" he asked.
She smiled.
"Thessa has possession of it."
He sat beside her on the dry part of the stone bench.
She moved closer because she wanted to, not because a passing skirt required it.
His hand rested between them.
She put hers over it before deciding whether the gesture looked graceful.
It felt good.
She was tired of treating that as insufficient information.
"I was glad you came yesterday," she said.
"I was glad you enjoyed the evening without me."
She looked at him.
He seemed embarrassed by the admission.
"I expected to discover I'd been punished for refusing," he said.
Maerielle felt the sting and accepted that he'd had reason to expect it.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–12 of The Villainess Offered an Apology, the Duke Wanted the Truth are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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