he ornate ceiling. Sleep would not come. Judith's command, Bella'

about Carter an

ide a marriage contract, stranded in a house full of

tress c

urned s

hest and shoulders, making it impossible to connect him with the br

rossed the room, bent down,

s chest was warm and s

g?" she whispered.

e finger to h

It was fixed on the bot

p of hallway light showed beneath th

was li

it, but her body still registered the heat of him, the closene

sn't ne

against the wall near the door, his body shielding hers from view. Their breathing fill

adow moved away. Soft foots

eleased h

. "Sleep there. In

ssive bed. The sheets smelled faintly of cedar and clean linen. For the first time t

ame brigh

us wa

nd flats in the walk-in closet. Af

rware arranged with ritual precision. At the head sat an elderly woman with sharp eyes and si

"Ah, the new girl. Coul

d respond, a youn

maid. That's her. The housekeeper

nington, looked Amara up a

tacles and studied Amara. For a br

yes," she murmured. "You

a fr

ea

art of her, but before she co

an't believe Atticus brou

inside Ama

he table and stoppe

e slapp

Coffee spilled across white linen.

cky shrieked, r

Amara sai

. She stood straig

n. I am the lady of this hou

trembled, t

is goi

sed with ruthless perfection. Catherine, Vicky's moth

w why you are here. You trapped a broken man and now think you

er voice quiet enough to be more dangerous than a sho

shed. "Securi

wheels over a Pers

legs. A male assistant stood behind him. The moment he entered, the room changed. Catherine

e chance. Tears

This woman hit me for no reason

ill, arms cros

ky to Amara. His expres

he

. Your hands are delicate. You c

stunned

ough her, but she did not sh

e said. "Next time

mouth fe

Amara is the sole mistress of this estate. Her word i

atherine's face ti

f the table,

wrist. Platinum and emeralds caught the ligh

here,

hesi

ve the sma

bracelet around her wrist. Its weight

o the fami

r," Amara said, though

le, Catherine

t of the family lowered their eyes and offered stiff greet

Catherine ch

e you are so capable, perhaps you can handle the gu

y sm

money, new money, political alliances, and old grudges. A sing

d her napki

family attend this year? Jean-Luc's latest acquisition for the

ch was f

s, current rivalries, seating risks, and social

tared at her wit

now that? Did you spend your time at the

her fork with

is from last year's fall collection. Beautiful, but the shoulder seams have been altered poo

d up her

g replica. You alm

ce drained

slap had str

struck