She gaped. “I don’t hate you—” She clamped her mouth shut. John Campbell was smiling. And she was blushing. She had to think of something to say—to cover up how this man’s boldness was affecting her. How had she entirely changed her opinion of him from the year previous? “The queen will be most disappointed that you are not being quiet at all this afternoon.” John chuckled. “Like I told Her Majesty, if I am not myself, then how could anyone know whether he or she liked me?” His words were so full of innuendo that Louise feared her heart might beat out of her chest.
