Sophia rose quietly and followed her into a hallway leading toward the kitchen. Once they were out of earshot of the others, Vic stopped and faced her. She didn’t even get a chance to open her mouth before Sophia tore into her.

“If you think I’m about to come back here and make out with you before you fall on your sword for me, you are wildly mistaken.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Cut the upper crust bullshit. I’m not impressed with your manners or your vocabulary anymore.”

“Not at all?”

“Stop being charming. I didn’t ask you to protect me, and if you think I’m going to reward that kind of over-the-top nobility, you’re wrong because it’s crazy and honestly a little patronising. I’m a grown-ass woman who made her own decisions last night, and I can damn well make them this morning. And another thing—”

Vic burst out laughing.

Sophia placed a hand on each hip and directed her most caustic stare at her. “You think this is some kind of a joke?”

“Not at all. I’m just happy.”

“Happy?”

“Yes.” She risked both life and limb by stepping closer and wrapping an arm around Sophia’s waist. “I’m happy you think me chivalrous and not dumb or cowardly.”

“You might be those things, too.”

“I may indeed—” Vic touched her forehead to Sophia’s, “—but I promise you, I’m not doing this to protect you. I’m doing it to protect myself. I’ve dealt with a great many things and faced a great many losses in my life, but none of them would wound me as badly as pretending I don’t know you.”

Sophia sighed and melted into her embrace. “I hate this, and I hate how fucking good you are.”

“I’m not good. I’m terribly selfish and entitled.” Vic kissed her temple, breathing in her scent deeply as if it might be her last chance. “I simply don’t want to have to keep secrets in order to keep you.”

“You know this can’t continue much—”

“I know nothing except I intend to see you this evening at the castle. If you need to impart any more hard truths, perhaps you’ll do me the courtesy of waiting until I’m in a safe place with a stiff drink in my hand.”

“You can’t keep buying time indefinitely.”

Vic smiled against her cheek. “We don’t know that for sure. I’m very rich.”

“Rich enough to bend the rules of time, space, and celebrity gossip?”

She kissed Sophia quickly one last time. “Rich enough to try.”

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen