Celia barely registered where she'd be spending that night. She didn't say a word when led inside a lovely house made of dark stone. She nodded politely as she was introduced to her host, an elderly duke whose name she missed and who was looking at her expectantly.
All she could think about was just crawling into bed and being left in peace.
Sabine looked crestfallen. "Do you really want to retire so early, Your Grace? The duke and his family wish to honour you with a welcome dinner."
The mere thought of it set Celia's teeth on edge. Sitting at a table while a bunch of strangers stare at me? No thank you. "The duke can do so if he wishes and you can all attend it without me. Stay up as late as you want. Dance until your feet ache. But I'm going to bed now and I refuse to hear any arguments about it, am I clear?"
