Lizzy had been laughing at you in the kitchen for about an hour now, as the two of you prepared sweet and delicious treats for the other girls. Her fingers were sticky with the mixture, and she couldn’t resist smearing a bit on your face, making you burst into laughter and lean back, nearly doubling over.

Your hair was a mess, your cheeks flushed, and Lizzy’s sweet concoction now decorated your face. You were an absolute disaster, and honestly, you didn’t care, not when you were having so much fun in the kitchen with your best friend.

“So, the duke? Who would’ve thought? I figured you’d rather have your head buried in books,” Lizzy remarked casually, stirring the pot absentmindedly as she glanced at you with curiosity.

“He just makes me feel... things,” you admitted truthfully, shooting her a look as you noticed her grin growing wider by the second. “No, not those kinds of things,” you added quickly, blushing on cue.

Lizzy couldn’t help but let out a laugh, the kind her mother would say wasn’t ladylike in the slightest. Her hands landed on your shoulders, giving you a gentle shake as she smiled and listened to your laughter.

“You’re blushing,” she teased, clearly enjoying herself a bit too much. “But really, how does he treat you? Is he kind?” she asked, just needing to be sure.

Lizzy knew Theo wasn’t anything like Lord James Seadown, but she wanted to hear it from you, just to set her heart at ease. She couldn’t bear the thought of another one of her dearest friends ending up with someone like him.