Not just emotional, he thought, but her vanity must be thoroughly satisfied. After all, what woman didn't dream of a grand public declaration, of being the object of everyone's envy? Since she hadn't liked his last attempt, she was sure to love this

one.

Of course, the onlookers were all hired. News about the royal family's romantic escapades couldn't be allowed to circulate freely, but he knew Caitlin craved status and attention. To satisfy her vanity, Will had arranged this crowd of actors. Not a single word of what happened tonight would leak to the outside world.

Caitlin's face was an unreadable mask as she stared at him. "My Lord, I thought I made myself perfectly clear last time. You are not my type."

Will's brow furrowed. "You don't like the grand gesture I arranged for you?" How could any woman dislike this? It gave her fame, status, and a massive ego boost. What more could she possibly want?

"That's right," Caitlin said with a firm nod. "I don't like it at all. In fact, your actions are making me extremely uncomfortable."

With that, she took Celeste's arm. "March, let's go."

Celeste immediately fell into step beside her, leaving Will standing there, stunned.

What?

After a moment, he turned to his aide, Ham. "What did she just say? She said my actions were causing her... what?" He couldn't believe his ears. He had never pursued a woman with such extravagance. This was the first grand public declaration he'd ever orchestrated. For Caitlin not only to be unmoved but to be... repulsed?

Ham, looking just as bewildered, stammered, "Sh-she... she said your actions were making her uncomfortable."

Will ran a hand through his hair, turning back to Ham. "Am I really that terrible?" Everything he had done was meant to be a

expression of his affection, yet in Caitlin's eyes, it was a nuisance. Did she have any idea how many women would kill for this kind of attention? Did she expect him to

make her a Duchess?

Ham shook his head vigorously. "Not at all, my Lord! You're the Lord of the Windsor family! How could you possibly be terrible? That woman from Eldermere is the one with no taste!" After a beat, Ham added, looking puzzled, "It's so strange. People from Eldermere will do anything for fame and fortune. Why is she so indifferent?"

Even he, a man, was a little moved by the spectacle Will had created.

Will's eyes narrowed, a predatory glint in them. The harder Caitlin was to win, the more determined he became.

"It just makes me look forward to the day she's crying for me, begging me not to leave."

Will had been in many relationships. His favorite part was the conquest, the feeling of a woman utterly submitted to him. He loved to see them weep for him, clinging to his leg and pleading with him not to go He could only imagine the thrill he would feel when this untamable wild deer was finally kneeling at his feet, sobbing for him to stay.

Ham blinked. "You're going to keep pursuing her?"

"Absolutely," Will declared. "I refuse to believe there's a woman in this world who

doesn't care about fame and fortune."