Chapter Hundred And Sixty Seven

Suzy stirred, the soft rustling of fabric and the faint sounds of movement pulling her from sleep. She turned her head, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and found Ryan's side of the bed empty. She looked up and saw him standing near the mirror, already dressed and preparing for the day. The morning light streamed through the window, illuminating his figure, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and the gentle curve of his smile. He was adjusting his cravat, his movements precise and efficient.

When his eyes met hers, he smiled warmly. "Good morning, my Duchess," he said, his voice soft and affectionate. "You know you should be out of bed by now."

Suzy groaned softly and rolled onto her side, moving to the edge of the bed. She let her head fall back onto the mattress, her eyes gazing up at the ceiling. "I don't have the energy to do anything," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.