"If you indeed go ahead with this marriage, be sure that every time you cause me a headache, I will respond by giving you several of your own, consistently, back to back," she said.
"I did not mean to disrespect you," Richard said. "I needed Lady Livia for something, that is all. There is no attachment left there, I assure you."
Seraphina looked at him. Richard shifted. Lady Seraphina Morley's quiet gaze made him feel like a boy.
"I…" He cleared his throat. "I should get going." He got to his feet.
Seraphina reopened her book. Richard walked towards the door. He almost reached it.
Then stopped.
Something in him resisted leaving like this. Not because he knew what to say. He did not. Livia had ruined him for other women.
But this marriage had to happen. That had been the arrangement with the king. He turned back.
Seraphina lifted her eyes. "Did you need anything?"
