The rustle of silk faded as Alice disappeared behind the hedges, leaving only the faint scent of roses and the echo of her words behind.
I let out a slow breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"…Storm-like, indeed," I muttered.
Beside me, Amelia's parasol dipped slightly as she turned her gaze on me. Her eyes, soft at first glance, were sharp as daggers if you looked too long.
"You're slipping, Julius," she said lightly, though her voice carried no mirth. "Usually you're quicker with your tongue."
I gave her a side glance. "What can I say? Being the butt of a duchess's joke is exhausting. Even I get tired of playing the clown."
Her lips curved faintly, but there was no laughter. "You weren't playing the clown just now. You were distracted."
I stiffened.
Amelia was no fool. She'd seen exactly where my eyes had gone, exactly what had held my attention.
I forced a smirk. "Distracted? By what? The flowers? They're lovely, sure, but I don't usually lose my head over roses."
