Chapter 157

Once she reached a spot where no one else was around, Tanya felt a sob rise up without warning and sank down onto the edge of a fountain.

"That rotten bastard...!"

"That's not meant for me, I hope?"

Startled by the familiar voice, she lifted her head. And without meaning to, she cried out.

"Duke Crichton!"

Zimmer stood right before her. Watching him smile faintly with his black hair tousled by the late-summer wind, Tanya couldn't quite understand why she felt so glad to see him.

No — maybe her racing heart wasn't only about being glad.

"You're not at the banquet hall. How did you end up all the way out here...?"

She hurried to get to her feet, when—

"I was just taking a walk."

Zimmer held out a handkerchief.

"Though I think you'll need this more."

Seeing the white silk handkerchief, Tanya felt a flush of embarrassment…