hapter 20 The car service dropped Drake off at 3 AM , barely conscious as he stumbled to bed fully dressed . He woke to his stomach in knots . Thalia , he mumbled through the hangover haze , grab my meds ? The silence hit him like a wall . Thalia ? Thalia- Reality crashed in as his eyes snapped open . Shed moved out . The emptiness in his chest felt worse than his stomach . After searching every cabinet for medicine and finding nothing , he finally caved and called Rosa , his housekeeper . She answered , groggy but professional . The meds , where are they ? Looking at her phone 4 AM Rosa counted to ten . These trust fund kids would be the death of her . First aid kit , Miss Winters room , top drawer , she managed evenly . He found the kit but faced a new problem : a pharmacys worth of medications stared back at him . Thalia had always known exactly which ones he needed . He scanned labels , swallowed something that seemed right , and hoped for the best . The pills knocked him out until past noon . Rosa , he called when he woke . Can you make that stomach remedy ? Chapter 20 She paused . Miss Winters special recipe ? Yeah . Im sorry , but I cant . His face darkened . Why not ? It needs overnight prep special herbs , specific ingredients . Plus all the fresh components . Cant start it now . Besides , she added carefully . I know what goes in it , but not how she actually made it . His jaw ticked . Regular soup then ? That I can handle . He leaned back , rubbing his temples , when a knock made him straighten . Had she come back ? Come in . Sienna appeared in the doorway . The disappointment must have shown because her smile faltered . Oh … its me ? She caught his expression , nails digging into her palms . She knew exactly who hed hoped to see . Still , she plastered on a smile . Rosa said you werent feeling great . Better now ? Fine , he muttered . She settled beside him , pulling up her phone . Look what I found the perfect Montana itinerary . We should road trip it , maybe get a driver since the distances are crazy . After Glacier we could- Her voice suddenly felt like nails on a chalkboard . His head was pounding , and her constant chatter wasnt helping . Chapter 20 Thalia would have known exactly what he needed her miracle soup , her quiet presence . Enough , he snapped . Siennas phone lowered slowly . Am I … bothering you ? The hurt in her voice was carefully calibrated . Drake sighed , guilt winning . Just the headache . Well plan later , okay ? Of course . She curled against him , the picture of understanding . Meanwhile , at an old world gentlemens club in Mayfair … A group of young aristocrats were gathered around a bridge table . James caught sight of Ashers wrist . I say , rather smart timepiece youve got there . Asher played his hand , grinning from ear to ear . Rather lovely , isnt it ? A gift from Lia . My word , the privileges of being engaged , Sebastian teased . One does envy you , old chap . Jamess expression turned thoughtful . Though I must say bit curious about the Winters connection . Not quite the match one might have expected , what ? Though they all moved in the same elevated circles , the old hierarchies remained firmly in place . The Blackwoods stood at the pinnacle of British society , their influence in Parliament stretching back generations . Asher , as heir to the family name , would typically have been expected to marry into another family of similar standing . Ashers smile took on a softer quality . Not an arranged match , as it happens . Good Lord , Sebastian was genuinely shocked . What are you saying ? Three years ago , I approached Randolph myself , Asher explained . The moment Lia finished at university , I paid him a visit . Told him he could name any terms he liked . Id agree to anything , provided I could marry Lia . His eyes brightened at the memory . After all this time , its finally coming together . You mean to say youve been carrying a torch for her all these years ? Sebastian let out a low whistle . Frightfully secretive of you , old boy . Known you since our Eton days and never had the faintest idea . James chuckled warmly . Wed all rather assumed you were married to your parliamentary duties . Chapter 20 Turns out you were simply pining away in silence . When did all this start then ? Sebastian pressed , dearly intrigued by this revelation . Must have been ages ago . Asher studied his cards with exaggerated attention , a slight simile playing at his lips . A gentleman doesnt discuss such matters . Playing it close to the chest , are we ? Sebastians smile turned knowing . Though I seem to recall she rather dramatically fled the country to avoid marriage altogether . Perhaps this gift is mere politeness . Wouldnt get too carried away just yet . James glanced up with calculated casualness . 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