The carriage ride home from Lady Lavinia's garden party had been pleasantly quiet. I leaned against Alaric's shoulder, enjoying the gentle sway as we traveled through the darkening streets of the city.
"You're unusually contemplative this evening," Alaric observed, his fingers absently stroking my arm.
I smiled against his jacket. "Just tired. Though I'm glad I went. Reconciling with Elara lifted a weight I didn't realize I was carrying."
"You've been collecting more strays, I see," he remarked with a hint of amusement.
I lifted my head to glare at him playfully. "Friends are not strays, Alaric."
"The Ainsworth cousins, Elara and her secret husband, Queen Seraphina—your collection grows more impressive by the day." His lips quirked into that half-smile I found both infuriating and irresistible.
"Perhaps I have a talent for finding value where others see none," I replied, my tone deliberately pointed.
Alaric chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath my cheek. "Touché, my duchess."
