s a scent of preservation, of things kept stagnant and perfect. A butler to

ster suite," the

he heat of his palm seared through her blouse. She flinched, steppin

he sweeping stai

bed. She looked tiny, swallowed by the heavy brocade comfo

the old wo

ping to her knees. She took the ol

andmother," s

age, but beneath the haze, there was a spark. A sharp

used, her voice weak but st

at Chadwick. He was standing at the

ment," Chadwick sa

hat went on too long. A doctor, standing in the sha

ing at Chadwick. "No stress. Her heart

with surprising strength. "Don't

Grandmother," J

Stay here. I want to see you. I want to see..." She

an heir. It had always been t

aid abruptly. "For the wee

im a glare. H

losing her eyes. A small smil

uld seat thirty. Grandfather Dyer sat at the head of

the quarterly allowance," Grandfather said, not looking up. "I'm g

her plate. They weren't peo

tler led them

East Suite," t

te rooms," John

. She demanded the East Suite for you both because it shares a connecting door with her room. She wants to

ing his tie. "Fine. It'

the room they had used on their

, hugging her arms. "I'm

illow from the bed. He tossed it onto the chaise

vealing the broad expanse of his bac

and climbed into the massive

ghts w

all. Johnna lay awake, staring into the dark. She could hear Chadwick sh

he was a prisoner in a castle, guarded by a dyi

ick's voice cam

leep, Ch

t to be like thi

e wh

e a

ght. "You started it when

etched, heavy and unresolved, unt