3/3 14:38 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 15 Silent Lessons Chapter 15 Silent Lessons 23 " យ 59 +10 Free Coins At times , Fiona came across Roxanne and Soren together . Many pleaded for his guidance , yet he agreed to instruct only Roxanne . Even then , a respectful distance always yawned between them . Roxanne remained poised , and Soren stayed cautious . Both guarded propriety with almost ceremonial care . Fiona made it a point to steer clear of their orbit . Sometimes her avoidance grew so meticulous that it bordered on awkward . That morning , as always , Fiona rose before the first bird dared test the silence . Pale veils of mist curled among the mountains , turning dawn into something torn from legend . She led her horse toward the meadow , bow slung across her shoulder , reins warm in her palm . People praised her swift progress in riding and archery , never guessing how many unseen hours had fueled that climb . A hundred paces from the lake , she slipped the reins free , letting the gelding nose through dew - soaked grass . She lifted her gaze and froze . Soren stood bare to the waist , water still tracking across broad shoulders and narrowing at a sculpted waist . The sight felt as rare as hen's teeth , beauty fierce and unforgettable . The hunting camp lay far from city comforts . Hot water went first to the ladies , so the men chose quiet hours to wash in the lake . Soren pulled a fitted riding jacket over his torso and cinched the belt , shuttering the brief bloom of accidental spring . Fiona held her breath , every muscle pulled tight . Seconds ago , she had been studying the lines of Soren's half - dressed body - and the two of them stood alone then , a man and an unchaperoned woman , her reputation perched on a knife - edge . Right then , the horse stomped and snorted , hooves clacking in the morning hush . Soren pivoted toward the sound . 1/3 14:38 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 15 Silent Lessons : 459 59 +10 Free Coins That simple turn felt like a tidal wave . For an instant , the rising sun caught his profile , all aristocratic angles , yet beneath the elegance flickered a hint of dangerous beauty ; his eyes stayed sharp , frost - cold , unreadable . There was nowhere to hide on that flat , empty stretch of land . Fiona watched that gaze settle on her , then shut her eyes in surrender . The wind sliced through her cloak , yet the chill inside her chest cut deeper . At that moment , it came down to whether Soren would press the issue . If he wanted to make a big deal out of it , it wouldn't be a challenging task for the Zonfrillo family . A whispered hint that she had performed as a dancing girl at the party would land her in hot waters , and soon a red bridal palanquin would ferry her through the servants ' gate as nothing more than a concubine . Soren's career , his future marriage - they would stay untouched . Fiona's life , however , would be ruined , and her status would be lower even than a mistress . And the matter of Vincent - she would be powerless to help him . Fiona then quickly thought of an excuse . He was dressed by the time the hoofbeats sounded . My only chance is to insist I have just arrived . She opened her eyes and steadied the smile on her lips as he drew nearer . " Fancy meeting you the moment I step outside . Lord Soren , are you up so early for your morning ride ? " Despite her bright smile , the tiny tremor in her lashes and the faint pallor in her cheeks betrayed the strain . She even ladled on a touch of helpless sweetness , hoping it might tilt the scales . One glance was enough ; Soren saw straight through the performance . Ms. Fiona , it seems , scatters her charm at anyone within reach , with little regard for propriety between the sexes . He pitied whichever man finally married her - their marriage bed could well be crowned by jealousy , Yet he neither wished to wed her nor to break her . He chose silence , offered her only a cool nod , and swung back onto his horse . Relief loosened the hitch in Fiona's breath . " There's frost on the ground this morning , " she said gently . " Mind the slippery patches as you ride , Lord Soren . " A beauty's tenderness felt like spring sunlight - but if it surfaced only when there was 2/3 14:38 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 15 Silent Lessons something to gain , it quickly lost its charm . : 59 +10 Free Coins Soren's eyes swept over her once more . " The maid who carried Ms. Wagner's message has already told me everything . " The color drained from Fiona's face , leaving her ashen . She had suspected he knew of her part in helping Yolanda regarding the performance , but she had never imagined he now possessed hard proof . Fiona drew a slow , steadying breath , willing her heartbeat to quiet . " Lord Soren , what exactly do you intend ? " Perched high upon the glossy back of his stallion , Soren looked hewn from marble - remote , untouched by anyone else's concern . " As long as you conduct yourself with perfect obedience , Ms. Fiona , no one will hear about it . " Fiona needed no explanation ; she understood too well that his definition of obedience could shift with his whims . With the proof in his hands , every coming day will move to his command . Yet at that moment , he owned the winning move , and she had to play the weaker piece . " I understand . Thank you , Lord Soren , for the warning , " she said , bowing her head in reluctant courtesy . Soren's gaze drifted to the fist she kept clenched at her side ; a faint curve touched his mouth . So , someone still holds defiance in her heart . " Plenty of men pass this trail at dawn . If you wish to spare the Niven family any scandal , take another road , Ms. Fiona . " Soren then nudged the horse forward and vanished into the pines . When Fiona slipped back into the tent , Yolanda noticed the silence before she noticed the pallor . " You left here beaming - why crawl back looking like a wilted bloom ? " " Yolanda , you've practically signed my death warrant , " Fiona answered , her smile twisted with rue ,