Chapter 111

"Will you stop pacing and just sit down already!"

Countess Lincol snapped. Count Lincol, who'd been pacing the study, jolted to a stop as if coming back to his senses.

"What's gotten into you, dear?"

Countess Lincol gripped her husband's shoulder. She met his eyes and asked gently.

"It's nothing."

Count Lincol said coldly, gnawing at his thumbnail. The restlessness and fear plain in his movements made it clear this was no small matter.

Countess Lincol, going by what she'd heard from the attendants, guessed at the source of her husband's worry.

"Is this about the Irenber girl? I heard she's quite the brazen little thing."

"Where did you hear something like that?"

Count Lincol responded sharply.

"Not everything, but I did hear she's rather ill-mannered."

"The girl's unbelievably cunning."

"She's still just a child, though. Come here, dear. Sit down and tell me about it."

Countess Lincol pulled him…