Chapter 155: Hunting

"Alright, Duchess Firestarter," Lucian said with a chuckle, watching Jane wrestle the kindling into flames with impressive determination. "Just don't burn the whole place down while I'm gone, okay?" The cottage, bathed in the warm glow of the fireplace, felt like a million miles away from the stuffy ballroom. Fresh air,redolent of pine and damp earth, whooshed in through the window, erasing the memory of perfume and gossip. Lucian straightened, his bow looking sleek and deadly in the firelight. A quiver of arrows lay like silent soldiers by his side. "Just a quick run for venison," he announced, hefting the bow onto his shoulder. "We can't exactly order room service out here, can we?" Jane, kneeling by the hearth, her face flushed from the fire's heat, shot him a mischievous grin. "Actually," she said,balancing a kettle on an iron hook, "I was thinking something a little more… hands-on." Lucian's eyebrows shot up. "Hands-on? Like what?" "Hunting with you," Jane declared, standing