Celia is as elegant and poised as I have known her to be. I remember her as an opportunist and that has not changed. Money, title and status still top her priority list and hence she’s trying to reel me in. She’s been trained since birth to seek a title and what bigger title than that of a Duchess. And, of course, I’m the obvious and better choice now. Besides, my mother has told me more than once that Celia will make an excellent bride as she’s already trained to be a Duchess. That thought is bloody damn revolting and turns my blood cold.

Fuck no, no, no!

With her lips painted a deep red, her blonde hair styled in an upswept knot, that tight burgundy dress that molds her generous curves and showcases her deep cleavage, I recognize the signs of a woman trying to attract me. On any other man, it may have even worked. Celia has fantastic breasts and she knows it. Unfortunately for her, I’m not interested in anything she has to offer me. Even though she is gorgeous and I was attracted to her once, now I’m absolutely uninterested.

I sigh! For all I know the accident may have caused me impotency because there seems to be no woman who attracts me. It is quite frustrating.

Celia takes a sip of her tea, her eyes continuously assessing me. “I haven’t seen you around the social circuit. Rumor has it that the Devil Duke has become a recluse.”

My chest tightens immediately, but I force myself to relax and not react to the ridiculous title and the careless comment. I raise the coffee mug to my lips instead.

She tilts her head, observing me. “You’ve changed, you know. You’re colder than before, quieter and more aloof. You used to be a lot more fun.”

“I guess a life-threatening accident changes your own perception of life,” I grit the words out through my teeth.

Of course I was wild earlier. I worked hard and I partied harder. I was the life of every party and had a reputation of living a fast life. Everything came fast to me, whether it was money or women. And that is how Celia and most others remember me. They expect me to behave the same way and do the same things I did.  But I have changed, simmered down and I quite like this new version of me. In my mind, it is like one minute I was this wild, carefree, devil of a person and now I am different.

Celia twirls a strand of her hair that has fallen on her face. “You’ve been gone five years, Damien. Why did you leave? And Scotland? You were so close and yet you never visited? I tried calling, but your number was dead.”