THE PLAN WORKED

JOVITA

This went wrong. My heart kept pounding in my chest. This was not what I expected. I do not even know what I expected him to do, but it definitely was not taking me in his arms and to his bed. I heard everything they talked about and how he spoke to his brother because of me. It took so much to put my acts together. The men were exuding fury, and his brother asked him not to become a hypocrite. What does that even mean?

When he carried me from Bryce, I felt goosebumps blanketing my skin and prayed that he does not notice. I tried to will my heartbeat to something approximately normal and not try to think of his arms around me or his scent that invaded my senses. When they argued, I stayed still, hoping none of them noticed my unsteady heartbeat.

I was a bit relieved when his brother left the room for good. He could easily detect that I was awake. I was terrified that he would find out. Lord Ralph laid me on the bed, paced his room, and ran his hand over hi