The men had gone off to celebrate Lord Caspian's arrival with wine, laughter, and wild songs echoing through the East Wing. Lola, however, had chosen silence over revelry. The lights in her chamber were dimmed to a soft golden hue, and the scent of jasmine lingered faintly in the air. She sat quietly as her maids helped her undress and prepare her bath.
Warm water embraced her skin as the gentle hands of her maids worked delicately. And yet, her mind was not in the bath. Instead, it lingered on a certain man with a crooked smile and dangerous dimples.
"He paraded me tonight," she murmured, the smile that crept across her lips betraying her own disbelief. "As though I were his beloved."
The maids paused, exchanging nervous glances.
"My lady?" one asked carefully, but Lola only shook her head, suddenly aware of herself.
"Leave. All of you," she said, rising from the water with quiet command. "I shall see to the rest."
They bowed and left without a word, though whispers soon followed in the hallway.
Alone, Lola dressed herself slowly. She caught sight of her reflection and frowned.
"Don't be foolish, Lola. You're not here to fall in love, especially not with a man like him," she muttered. "No matter how charming he appears with those cursed dimples."
She slipped beneath her sheets, but sleep did not come easily.
In the sitting room, Ava had just returned from her walk. Laughter filled the air as her friends flocked around her, eager for gossip.
"So?" Emily squealed. "What did he say? Did he declare his undying love yet?"
"I cannot believe you've managed to catch Lord Flynn's eye," Julian added with a teasing smirk.
"And what is wrong with her?" Emily snapped, glaring at him.
"He isn't interested in me," Ava replied flatly, her voice devoid of warmth.
"Oh, come now," Ethan said with disbelief. "I saw the way he looked at you."
"So did I," Emily chimed in.
Ava's expression darkened. "Enough!" she snapped. "No one is to mention that ridiculous man in my presence again. He holds no interest for me, nor I for him. If anyone dares suggest otherwise again, I shall take it as an act of provocation."
Without waiting for a response, she stormed off to her chambers, her skirts swaying behind her.
Emily blinked. "What on earth just happened?"
Sophia, however, sighed wistfully. "At least someone's caught a nobleman's attention. The one I fancy didn't even glance my way tonight. Too busy entertaining every pair of legs that walked past."
She, too, rose and left, shoulders slumped.
Julian looked around at the empty room. "Is everyone losing their minds?" he asked aloud. "I must've been mad myself to choose all of you as companions."
Elsewhere, Gabriel Flynn sat amidst the roaring party, wine in hand and a careless smile on his lips. But his mind was far from the festivities. Ava's words played over and over again in his head:
"Mark this well, Lord Flynn… no matter how the game is played, you will never win me."
He let out a low chuckle, one that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"I know that smile, Flynn," Lord Caspian said, leaning closer. "Who's it for?"
"It's nothing," Gabriel replied, sipping his drink. "I'm simply enjoying the night."
"You? Lost in thought while surrounded by wine and women?" Xander scoffed. "Now I know something's wrong."
"I'm curious too," Caspian added. "Anything to distract from these determined ladies parading themselves before me like prized mares."
"You could simply choose one, or two and be done with it," Gabriel said dryly.
Caspian smiled, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, there's already someone waiting for me back home."
"Then I suggest you do not linger too long beneath the temptation of silk and perfume," Xander advised.
Gabriel scoffed. "And that, Your Majesty, is exactly why I've never married. Too many women in the world to limit myself to one."
Xander narrowed his gaze, more amused than surprised. "What happened to you, Flynn?"
Gabriel glanced away, his jaw tight as his eyes settled on nothing in particular. The music played louder, the party wilder, yet all he heard was the echo of Ava's voice.
What happened to him, indeed?