rop in the silence that foll

to recover was

l-maintained exterior. Her raven-black hair, streaked with a whisper of grey, was swept into a sleek ch

dripped w

f joke, Alex, I suggest

iced back to me c

go. What did you do this time? Blackma

heartbeat thuddin

mile, "that your aversion to commitment and your habit o

slowly over me ag

find her? A me

ed me. Fury surged

child. And I'm not Alexander's mistress. I'm his

let lips curle

e bit. Still money-hungry. Still manipulative. What

cked through the air, his arm tightenin

as her nam

"Beatrice is my wife. If you want document

because of the will. This has nothing to do with love and everyth

lared

expect us to believe she retur

a cool voice f

e smoothly. Tall, refined, effortlessly poised

Alexander's

othly. "This is shocking, yes, but the least we can d

es assessing. "Lovely to

ere calm, but there was someth

reluctant nod,

though it sounded more like a

mind

ept calling

ood frozen, my pulse roaring in my

nge performance. The air was heavy with ten

t porcelain-like in her gentleness, with soft brown eyes and a voice barely above a whispe

a suddenly stopped. Her heels clicked sharpl

g here?" she hissed, he

Alexander. "This was

ld speak, stepping forward with a

n, eyes burning. I could almost

ay far from me at the dinner tab

voice was low

pleases. If that's a problem, yo

nd mine, firm

el. But Gratia said nothing. Pride, it s

n. Forks scraped plates. Glasses cl

Gratia's

rice. Why did you lea

was honey-l

caught in

" he said smoothly, handing her a glass of wine, "your

d at him,

ney

g his fingers beneath my collar in a brazen, inti

offed. "Ho

ing, "You blush charmingly. But i

e as you," Gratia snapped, "I

or once,

pretend this family

ed toward him.

Drew," Grat

" He sank back w

ned icy. "What are you

ice snapped

read is buttered on. Someth

that's what eats at you. I've ne

ld've thrown you out the

e. "Too bad he had more sense th

orm. "Perhaps I should ma

said dryly. "Make it strong

ia. "Would you l

se, but Gratia's

s not supposed to b

re are chairs in the k

ncomfortable ones. Completely un

et mine apologe

ed to the kitchen, desperately needing

ee tray, the war had resumed.

ander stood, voic

where. Gratia, ret

sufferable,

he replied flatly. "Dr

ne rigid. "You forget

ountered. "And it will remain

luctantly. "Co

relented. "Nad

he door clicking

to the cabinet.

I," I

ss of red. "Wine is

mpt me," I

se. The question that had haunted me

y were coming? Why didn't yo

r's face

es flicking toward the hallway.

Bu

glass crashed against the floor. His hand

e near," he growled. "If Gratia finds out yo

art st

d me I was mean

jaw tight. "Because I knew the m

him, voice ba

t her, A

oftly, "but you'

...

in, his voice shaking now.

already burning

ding to be a