The sight of her - red-faced and covered in flour made something in him go wild.
Andon was right - they might end up with an unwanted child if he wasn't careful. And that went against everything he had promised her.
He couldn't destroy her future a second time - because it clearly wasn't with him. But he also couldn't resist holding her close.
"I already know the difference. Touches don't mean anything, but a child does."
She met his gaze without flinching as she spoke her nonsense.
"Touches don't mean anything, you say?" He ran his hand over her palm.
"Stop. Whatever this is," She gestured around, "cannot continue, Your Grace. There are plenty of whores who will sell their favours and much more for a night with you. I, unfortunately, have a lot more dignity."
He nodded.
"If you had more dignity than a whore, you should have slapped me by now."
Her lips thinned.
"Why would I raise my hand on the King?"
"Any well-mannered lady would. So, drop the act."
