Caught in act ***

She tightened her grip on her fork, refusing—absolutely refusing—to look at him.

But then she felt it.

A brush of fingers, light as a whisper, teasing the inside of her thigh.

She stiffened.

Her legs instinctively clamped shut, but it was too late. Arthur's hand had already found its way under her dress.

A sharp inhale betrayed her.

No. Not here. Gods, not here.

Lucious Ludwig, the head of the family, sat just across from them, reading a military report over his tea.

Alicia was chatting with a knight, oblivious.

The table was full, the hall lively—and yet Arthur was touching her.

"Tense, sister-in-law?" Arthur's voice was silk-wrapped sin, low enough that only she could hear.

His fingers traced slow, lazy circles, creeping higher, higher—

She reached for her teacup with unsteady hands, her fingers trembling as she lifted it to her lips.

Stay calm. Stay composed. Pretend nothing's happening.