Chapter 174

Clearing her throat, Kit said, “Last night, the queen and I were speaking about Pierce.”

“Whatever for?” Cassius asked her

“Ha! That is a good question. She was trying to persuade me in favor of him, as usual. At any rate, I made a remark that he just wasn’t for me, and she said just because he can be a little rough sometimes, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t make a good duke.” Kit took a deep breath, not sure she’d gotten that exactly right. Cassius looked confused.

“Rough? What do you think that meant? Rough around the edges, as in he’s not as refined as some of the others, such as myself?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and Kit choked on a chuckle.

“No, no. I think I’ve relayed it wrong. I said he didn’t appeal to me, and she said just because he was a little rough didn’t mean he wouldn’t make a proper husband.”

Cassius stared at her for a moment, his lips pursed, before he said, “I want to understand what it is you think that means, but I’m not there yet.”