st Wing. It had been Gabriel's mother's favorite retreat, and

hat connected the wing to the main house, she

sion on his face. He looked like he want

silence, her tone overly swee

nely, all by yourself in that dreary wing." She made

r lips. The smile did not reach her eye

ters, Seraphina, perhaps I should remind you of the proper forms of add

atronizing sm

ord perfectly enunciated, carrying

arried the elder son. Dead or alive, she was the sen

nging reminder that Jolie was now his brother's widow, untou

ation. Through gritted teeth, she for

us, like a queen accepting a subject's

find myself deeply concerned abou

omach. "As the widow of the firstborn son, my pri

hina stared, stun

.. in providing an heir for the main line, the Duke might feel it necessary to ensure the continuation of Gabriel's branch

a contingency. I'm sure you will bring good n

a society obsessed with bloodlines and inheritance, the th

ried Tristan to become the mother of the next Duke.

the horrifying realization that Jolie's argument

olie offered them a serene smile

d walked away, leaving them

's shrill accusing voice, Tristan's angry retort. Jolie's words ha

finally touched Jo

stablished her new identity not as a vic