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under his breath as he approached. “How many times must I request you to call me Lord Merivic before you will finally do so?”
    Anya shrugged and laughed, unsure if she would ever feel completely comfortable addressing him in such an informal manner.
    “Please, come sit with me.” He handed her a glass of wine and then gestured further down the path to a wrought iron bench nestled amongst the floral arrangements.
    Once they settled, Lord Merivic took a drink of his wine and set his glass down before turning his full attention to the beauty at his side.
    “Did you enjoy yourself this evening?”
    “I had a wonderful time, and I thank you for that.”
    He leaned his head to the side, a smile teasing the corner of his lips. Watching her reaction carefully, he reached down to her lap and claimed one of her hands. Anya, although a bit surprised, surrendered her hand freely as he clasped it between his.
    “There is no need to thank me, Miss Anya. I quite enjoyed our time together, as well.” He squeezed her hand gently and took a steadying breath. “Might I ask you a question?”
    She arched a brow as the lord’s entire body tensed in anticipation of her response, and her stomach fluttered. “You may.”
    His eyes darted to the pebbled walkway as he took another breath, and then held his shoulders back proudly as he finally made direct eye contact. “I will be staying in Liberwood for the duration of the summer to attend to some family matters. Would you mind if I called on you from time to time.”
    “Call on me?”
    “Court you,” he explained, matter-of-factly.
    Anya’s eyes grew big as her frame seized with anxiety.
    “I have spoken with your father.”
    Her heart thundered in her chest as she dared to ask the next logical question. “And he approves?”
    “He does.”
    Her shoulders fell with his admission, as did her gaze, as did her heart. “Then it is settled,” she whispered, trying to hide the defeat in her tone.
    “No.”
    Anya looked at Lord Merivic as he absently rubbed the top of her hand while he spoke.
    “I understand your customs, that your father has the right to choose your suitor until you are twenty-three years of age. However, I would like you to decide for yourself.”
    Her spirits lifted with her curiosity. “You do?”
    Lord Merivic studied Anya and thought he understood her hopeful tone, but needed to be sure. He wanted to simply agree it had already been settled between himself and her father and leave it at that. But he knew the proper course was to give her the choice.
    To ensure he did not sway her replies, he released her hand and rubbed the back of his neck as he nodded in response. “And your father has agreed to my request. It is your decision to make.”
    Anya stared at him, incredulity shining in her eyes.
    “It will always be your choice where I am concerned, Miss Anya. I simply view this as a chance to get to know each other better. It will forever be up to you as to where it will proceed.”
    She continued looking at him, her stare softening into a gaze, but still she seemed no closer to uttering any words.
    “Would you prefer time to think about it?” Before the inquiry barely left his mouth, Lord Merivic was flooded with angst and mentally berated himself for rushing her. He did not give Anya a chance to respond before he spoke again, averting his gaze as he shifted to stand. “That is perfectly acceptable. I will escort you home now.”
    Anya could tell he was nervous and flustered, and suddenly she was not so intimidated. In her eyes, at that moment, he was just a man reaching out to her, and her instinct was to return the gesture, despite the conflict she felt within.
    She put a timid hand on his arm to hold him still. “I do not need to think about it. You may call on me, if you wish.”
    Anya nearly did not believe she had spoken the words herself, and found the lord to have a similar reaction of disbelief. His hazel eyes were widened in pleasant surprise