Then he walks out without looking at me again.
We’re on his private plane now, heading to Kindubh, his duchy, but Rodrick still hasn’t spoken to me.
I decide I won’t sit here like a criminal on death row, not knowing what I’m being condemned for—besides escaping my security, of course. I know he definitely won’t let that slide.
“Let's have breakfast,” he says just as I open my mouth to ask something.
Without waiting to see if I agree, he unbuckles his seat belt, stands, and reaches his hand out so I can stand too.
“Can you tell me a little about your duchy?” I ask once I’m seated.
“I inherited it from my father, who inherited it from my grandfather, who inherited it from my great-grandfather. Since the beginning of time, my family has been made of dukes.”
“Are the lands productive?”
“Do you really want to talk about that, or are you just avoiding the silence? Because trust me, we have a lot to discuss.”
His voice is hard, and I know I’m in trouble. So I’m going to delay my execution as long as possible.
“I really want to know.”
“Coffee, milk, or tea?” he asks.
When the flight attendant approaches, he dismisses her with a gesture, taking the role of serving me himself.
“Black coffee.”
I watch his large hand tilt the silver pot with steady precision. How does someone display so much authority just by pouring coffee? Everything about Rodrick is strength. Masculinity.
When I look up, he’s watching me, and that same shiver that hit me in his bedroom strikes again, even stronger.
I still haven’t asked what we were doing in his bed last night, because I’m not sure the answer won’t lead to a fight. It feels too early to be scolded.
“Part of the land is used for potatoes and grains, other sections for raising Highland[21] cattle.”
“The fluffy ones, right? They look like they have bangs.”
Maybe I’m imagining it, but I swear I see the corner of his mouth twitch.
“Yes, those.”
“And they’re used for what?”
“Dairy and beef,” he replies, offering no further detail.
“What about the whisky? Kaled once told me you owned the largest Scotch whisky distillery, and the best-quality one too.”
Now I’m certain I wasn’t imagining the shadow of a smile. It’s obvious that while he inherited his land, what truly moves him is the distilled spirit business.
“I keep the land because I believe in tradition. Kindubh has belonged to my family forever. But my world . . .is whisky.”
“Can you tell me more about it?” I ask, relieved we have a momentary truce before the storm I’m sure is coming.
Chapter 15
“I can talk about my cows, potatoes, and whisky production for hours, Jazmina, and you still won’t escape giving me an explanation about what happened last night,” I say, and with satisfaction, I watch her cheeks burst into flames. Meaning: I nailed it. She was trying to dodge the conversation.
“Aren’t you supposed to be more polite? You’re a duke, after all.”