Eilika was in the middle of knitting a sweater for Roman in the bedroom of the cottage when a low knock sounded at the door. Before she could answer, a servant stepped inside, bowing deferentially.
"Your Grace, the Duke has returned."
Eilika lifted her gaze at once, setting the unfinished wool aside as she rose to her feet. "He is back early today," she murmured to herself just as Damian entered the room. The servant bowed once more and quietly withdrew, closing the heavy wooden door behind him.
Eilika dipped into a slight, graceful curtsy. "You returned early today, My Lord. Was the court business finished so soon?"
"I am not early. I am quite on time," Damian replied, crossing the room toward her, his fur coat still pinned securely over his broad shoulders. His eyes fell upon the ball of yarn and the row of fine loops resting on the table. "I did not know you were skilled with needles."
