A subtle shift in the mattress stirred Elise from her slumber.

To be precise, William was already awake, simply waiting for her to open her eyes.

"Hungry?" William's voice was deep, laced with unmistakable satisfaction.

He radiated vitality, looking completely refreshed and energized.

In stark contrast, Elise felt utterly drained, as if every ounce of strength had been sapped from her body.

"What time is it?" Elise murmured, her voice husky.

"Ten o'clock," William replied smoothly.

"So late?" she gasped, disbelief coloring her tone.

"What did you expect?" William chuckled, the sound rich with barely concealed triumph.

"Where's James?"

"He declared himself old enough to put himself to bed, and he did just that, like the responsible young man he's becoming," William answered, then added meaningfully, "He also emphasized what an exemplary older brother he intends to be."

Elise shot him a sharp look before struggling to sit up.

As William moved to assist her, the blanket slipped, revealing vivid evidence of their passionate encounter scattered across her skin.

Elise turned to glare at him again. He cleared his throat slightly. "Getting up?"

"Yes."

"I'll fetch your clothes."

"Thank you."

William threw back the covers and rose from the bed, completely unclothed despite having been awake for some time.

Elise averted her gaze pointedly.

In response, he flashed her a devastatingly handsome grin. "You've seen everything already, Miss Scott."

Elise ignored him pointedly.

He continued, undeterred, "I mean, considering we made love in broad daylight—"

"Must you?" she cut him off, unable to bear his teasing.

William walked away, his grin still firmly in place.

Elise watched him go—even his retreating back seemed to radiate pure masculine satisfaction, which only deepened her scowl.

After they had both dressed and left the bedroom, the household staff had a late dinner waiting for them.

They ate in relative silence until Elise suddenly spoke, her tone firm. "I need to return to Crestwood."

William's hand stilled, his fork hovering mid-air.

So this was why she had given herself to him? Just to secure her departure?!

"It's not that dangerous anymore," Elise stated seriously, setting down her cutlery. "I'll be perfectly safe as long as you remain here with Victoria."

"No. I won't stay with her."

"You should marry her," Elise said, her words crisp and clear.

William's fingers tightened around his knife and fork. "So that's what this was really about?" he asked, his voice turning icy.

"Consider it settling a debt between us."

"Really?" William let out a bitter, humorless laugh at her cruelty.

He had thought today meant they loved each other. He'd believed they had finally connected. But it was all one-sided, just his own foolish hope.

He never should have surrendered to her seduction. He knew it would end badly.

"Let's just end this the way it began," Elise said, meeting his gaze with solemn intensity.

"Stop lying to yourself, Elise!" William snapped, his rage barely contained. "You're not that indifferent toward me. If you were, you never could have lost yourself like that... You never could have responded to me the way you did today!"