Chapter 60

Lucies let her tease and provoke him, curious to see just how far Valerie would go. "So, do you like pretty jewelry?" Valerie nodded with mock solemnity. "I don't just like it—I adore it." "Do you want it?" "Of course I do." Lucius pretended to ponder it. "But what can I do? I've already given that companion's spot to Sonia. "I seem to recall someone saying last night that kind of trash wasn't even worthy of your attention. But now, are you letting garbage compete with you?" He expected her to explode, but instead, she slipped into exaggerated thoughtfulness. "You know, darling, you're right. Integrity is everything. Going back on your word is a cardinal sin." She tapped his cheek lightly with her fingertips. "So, if you bring Sonia on that ship tomorrow, I'll look down on you for the rest of my life." Lucius raised a brow. "Is that an empty threat?" "The plain truth as it is," she said. "I thought you'd fight harder for this chance." "I did fight for it." "Not with enough