ey's

of genuine amusement danced in her ancient eyes. She had seen centuries of pac

ures still kneeling on the gras

rrying unmistakable weight. "Given this passionate, public disp

they admitted their love, their conspiracy against me would be exposed as a lie, and they would be bound to each other-a broke rogue and a disgraced girl, their social climbin

to deny it. He scrambled for words, voice cracking. "No! Matri

We have no such feelings for each other! She's jus

al had broken my heart. "Oh. I see. I suppose I l

h, they have denied their love for each other. Does this not mean, then, that their earlier claims

rom the Matriarch's eyes, replaced by a chilling coldness. She could tolerate t

over Freddy and Allegra. They

I... I was merely expressing my admiration for Mr. Holman'

ider Miss Moreno a dear friend, a confidante!

deeper-they were now forced to admit to a close

now." Her tone was flat and dismissive. She didn't need to say m

ing to hide. "Lucy," the Matriarch called out, and the girl flinched. "Was it y

ll to her knees.

tion sharp as a razor. Lucy's eyes darted nervously towards Allegra. She said nothing, but the panicked glance was an ad

chose a more elegant solution. "Very well. Everyone, disperse. Do

the warning was clear: the matter was

ing with a mixture of relief and utter humiliation. They scu

long, appraising look. When she spoke, her voi

ers," I replied respectfully, my voice stead

in her eyes. "Alpha Sexton. Guard your

d out with pride. With a final nod, the Matriarch walked back towards the party, her gu