When the door finally closed, Lina released a long, weary sigh. She had initially regarded Julian as a quiet, handsome man whose charm concealed a more serious personality. That impression had completely collapsed in the space of a few hours.
Of course, Lina was no longer young enough to be easily deceived by an attractive face and a few sweet words. Could a man who had survived the complicated political struggles of the court for so many years really be as foolish as Julian sometimes appeared? She couldn't determine how much of his behavior was genuine and how much was an act. Perhaps he was deliberately presenting himself as a frivolous playboy because he had realized that this was the sort of person she expected him to be. By lowering her guard, he might eventually gain more influence and benefits than she intended to give him.
