Claire blinked, staring at Nicholas for a few moments even after he’d finished speaking. “Mr. Rochford,” she suddenly grinned, reaching up to gently brush her hand against his cheek. “I do believe that was the most honest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth. Thank you. That’s all I’ve wanted from you!” Claire let out a deep sigh, dropping her hand back to her lap again. “This entire time, all this silly fake romance and putting up fronts, and you’re being forced into this just as much as I am!”

Even as the carriage started to slow she kept her eyes on him, a content smile on her dark pink lips. “No more lying about why we’re here or what we want. Doesn’t this feel better? Yes, we’re both unhappy, but I feel like things are better now. Though that last bit sounded a little silly…you don’t know if I’m a wonderful person. Not yet, and that’s all right. I probably won’t be [i]wonderful[/i] for quite some time, Nick. I enjoy making you miserable all too much,” she laughed, feeling them come to a stop.

“And Nicholas? I would love for my boy to look like you. He will. So enough of that, please?” she asked, her smile fading just a bit. “Ready to show me around? I’m excited to get a look at [i]my[/i] bed,” Claire added, feeling the warm air come into the carriage as someone opened the side door.