air smelled of old leather and woodsmoke. On the polished

re world was built on honor and public perception. Duchess

he fireplace, their faces alight with smug, theatrica

" and her acceptance of the family's decision. The tension ea

oice steady and clear, " for the sake of the Beaumont family's honor, and

raphina exchanged a look of mild amuse

in full military dress, expression serious, eyes burning with fierce intensity. Lord Gabriel Watkins

reath, gathering

Beaumont family, as promised. Bu

letting the

o marry the late Lord G

was absolute. She had su

placed by stunned disbelief.

st. "Absurd!" she shrieked. "That i

et. "You would rather marry a dead man than

eyes were on the only perso

reasoning with su

nter this house as a bride, not a mistress. There will be

ouses. The Vinsons are joined with the Beaumonts. The brideg

allen hero. It shows the entire kingdom the depth of the Beaumont famil

w at what Duke Theron valued most: hi

eighing the quiet scandal of a mistress against the grand tragic theate

his widow. I will reside quietly in Pinecrest Wing, hi

remote wing. A symbol, not a threat. This eras

nod. "I agree. The wedding will take

of fury, but she could not argue against her husband. Tri

. She had sec

ockwaves through

ride for the living

and cathedral was

ng with pearls and lace, clinging to Tr

yes were

wn, her face obscured by a black mourning veil. She moved with solemn gr

e sheer tragic romance,

arm, her smile a brittle, painted thi

side alcove, a tall figure sto

wedding, and settled on the lonely, defiant figure in black and white. He

ady in the cavernous space, a faint, unreadable

abriel W

s very mu