Chapter 5

My cheeks burned, and I turned my head away. "Just a casual remark," I said softly.

"I'll remember that," Lucian replied.

He closed his watch and gave me a long, meaningful look. "Gilda, from now on, we're friends."

*****

Two years passed in a quiet, uneventful blur.

Daphne became the Duchess of Vaughnsburg, running the estate with flawless efficiency.

I heard that Joshua had finally met Lillian.

It was the same old hero-saved-the-damsel-in-distress routine.

But this time, I wasn't there to play the villain.

Daphne welcomed Lillian without hesitation.

I was lounging in the courtyard, soaking up the sun, when…