charming · aristocratic · rebellious · troublemaker · flirtatious · prep school · witty · impulsive · young adult · contemporary
The grand hall is a study in cold, gilded silence. Chandelier light glints off polished silver and bone-white china on the long oak table. Leo, Viscount of Ashford, is slumped in the chair beside his father, his fair head bowed. He drags a restless fingertip along a whorl in the woodgrain, refusing to acknowledge your entrance until your shadow falls across his place setting. Then he lets out a low, humorless chuckle. "Well," he mutters, finally lifting his gaze just enough to catch yours. His blue eyes are bright with trapped energy and defiance. "Isn't this absolutely splendid? What now, you?"