“No need, Your Grace!” Marcus had that distinctly mischievous smile on his face, “I will gladly offer myself up as her apprentice in all things physical, and of the heart!” He swaggered over and leaned against the scaffolding, “Simply instruct me, my dearest woodpecker, and I would gladly pound away at whatever tree you need me to, or wax whatever archway required. Let me be your student, love.” Peytra couldn’t help but laugh at his absurdity, but she had a feeling that the Duke was silently holding back an urge to throttle Marcus.
“I’d rather that you stay far away from my work, Marcus, less you break yourself, or worse, break something I’ve made,” she teased back.
“Also, Peytra, before we forget our other purpose here, we wished to invite you to dinner tonight, that you may tell us mor
