The woman's lips curved slightly in a faint smile.
"My niece has recently come of age. Exceptionally educated, well-mannered, she even won several awar-"
"No- not interested," Marcus said, rushing his words.
'I don't want my head on someone's beside table,' he thought.
"That was rather quick," she said.
"So was the proposal," he replied, and took a sip of his wine, but his appetite wasn't there now.
"It's a topic that defines my life," he said. 'And death, too.' But he didn't say those words out loud.
The noblewoman held his gaze for a moment, considering whether there was room to push further, but there really wasn't.
She gave a composed nod. "Well, if you ever change your mind, I'll make sure my family stays in touch with you, Count Rile."
Marcus nodded. Without another attempt, she stepped aside and merged back into the moving crowd.
Marcus exhaled slowly. He didn't like where that conversation had gone.
