Chapter 172

• Elizabeth badly wanted to sit down, but of course she couldn’t. Not without drawing attention to her shocked expression anyway, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. Instead, she had to stand there with a stupid smile freezing on her lips while Almeric crossed to where Nolanda was waiting.
• She noticed, almost unconsciously, that he dragged one of his legs as he did so, and when he bent to bestow the expected kiss on each of Nolanda’s cheeks, she caught her breath at the sight of the scar that scored a path from his right eyebrow to his mouth.
• If Almeric heard her gasp, he gave no indication of it as he greeted his mother-in-law. ‘Ola, cara,’ he said, his voice just as low and disturbing as Elizabeth remembered. ‘I see our guest has arrived.’