Horatia hated how that memory always managed to choke her at the worst times. She blinked and turned at the sound of a polite cough. Lucien was leaning against the wall a few feet away, watching her.

"Are you all right?" he asked, pushing away from the wall and coming towards her.

"I'm fine."

Lucien frowned and cupped her chin in one hand, turning her to face him.

"I can always tell when you lie," he said, as if the knowledge of this surprised ...