"Mr. Brown, that face of yours works better than money," Sophia teased.

Walking behind her, William lifted his chin dramatically, "Common folk like you probably don't understand our burden."

Ugh—

Sophia rolled her eyes internally. She was pretty too, but at least she never came out with such humble-bragging nonsense.

They bantered their way through half the village until, crossing a small bridge, they finally reached the village square with its various ...