The Lord's Passionate Lover(5)

“Are you here to visit your sister?”

“No, I will be staying for a while.”

Lord Jacques raised his eyebrows. “Interesting,” he said.

“Why is that interesting?”

“Perfect opportunity for you to find a suitor.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” she replied defensively. She may not be looking but she wanted one. Both her sisters were happily married and here she was still single.

“Why is that?” he found it hard to believe that a woman at her age was not seeking a suitor.

“What if I already have one?” she asked. He had stated that it was the perfect opportunity for her to find one; it was as if he assumed that she was single.

“But you do not,” he replied confidently. Francesca raised her eyebrows. He knew nothing about her and here he was assuming she was single.

“You know that because?”

“I am sure he would not appreciate you living at the court.”

Francesca frowned. Surely, a boyfriend would not mind her living at the court. Besides it would be her decision not his. Lord Jacques seemed to be the type that would mind.

“And yet you are not seeing someone.” He still sounded so confident about it. It was as if someone told him.

“Why are so sure about my private life?” Francesca sounded annoyed as she turned to face him. He stood there so calmly with his hands in his pockets.

“I hit a nerve,” he said. He did not even sound bothered. Francesca squared her shoulders.

“No, you did not. Excuse me,” she said as she turned on her heel and walked off. Lord Jacques watched her storm off. He was definitely interested in knowing more about her. Since this was the second time they had spoken, he could already see that she was not going to be easy to deal with and while he had sworn off women, he found himself wondering if she might be worth it.

Francesca headed back inside the palace to see Macee. When she arrived, Macee was just about to have lunch with Princess Katherine. They invited her to join them. “I would love to, I am famished,” Francesca said as she sat down.

“What have you been up to today?” Macee asked her sister.

“Nothing in particular. I need something to do.”

“You do not enjoy palace life?” Princess Katherine asked. Francesca sighed before she spoke.

“There is not much to do. It is not that different from home either. It's not like I was working, but at least at home, I could go out without requiring an entourage.”

“Can we swap roles?” Macee asked. As Crown Princess, she had so many people pulling her in different directions that she rarely had time for herself.

“Yes, we can,” Francesca smiled as she picked up her fork.

“I met Lord Jacques yesterday. He seems like a nice man,” Princess Katherine said.

“I have not really gotten to speak with him. Louis recently introduced us and that was the last time we spoke. When he came over for dinner, we only said hello to one another,” Macee said and looked at Francesca.

“Okay, Macee, so I danced with him,” Francesca said and narrowed her gaze. She knew that Macee was going to bring it up. Macee shrugged her shoulders.

“I did not say anything.”

“Oh, but you were going to.”

Katherine smiled as she chewed. Swallowing, “Was he a terrible dance partner?”

“No, he was not,” Francesca replied. “Actually, he was quite good.”

“Conversation was bad, then?”

“It was fine.”

“Then, can I assume you enjoyed yourself?”

“There is nothing special about that man.”

“Oh, I disagree,” Katherine said as she sipped some of her drink. “He is a handsome, well-educated man with both power and prestige. There is nothing lacking.”

“I concur,” Macee said.

“Oh great, there are two Macees,” Francesca said sarcastically. Macee and Katherine both laughed. “Don’t you think he’s too old?” she asked.

“Well that is not stopping him from being attractive,” Katherine replied.

“All right, I admit it, he is handsome. Now, can we please change the subject? I’m thinking of going to see Simone tomorrow. That baby is so cute!” She was done speaking about the man that had just annoyed her less than twenty minutes ago.

“I will come with you, I miss little Simone,” Macee said. It would also allow her to escape her duties for a while.

“Pass on my regards to Liane and Jean Pierre. I am leaving for Paris tomorrow morning but I will be back in two days,” Katherine said.

“Paris! The city of looove,” Macee said sarcastically and laughed. Katherine laughed with her.