A warm feeling began rising within her.

She lowered her gaze, her head down as she tried to hide her reddened cheeks.

If Aria had heard those words just a couple of days ago, she would have been filled with anger. Now, she was filled with an emotion that she had never felt before in her life.

An emotion that she still couldn’t identify.

Lucien, oblivious to the thoughts racing through her mind, limped back to the cottage. He picked up his cane and walked straight to the bedroom. ...