any and quiet judgment. A crystal chandelier dripped light onto a table long enough to

g eyes was a physical pressure on her shoulders. Millicent Montgomery, the family's elegant, iron-willed matria

her. The scent of rich butter and broiled seafood hit her first. Her stomac

ablecloth under the table, her knuck

ncern, but of cold warning. He thought this was another o

hrough the low hum of conversation. "You look

g plaster. "No, Mrs. Montgomery, it's delic

next course: black truffle risotto. The e

slapped a hand over her mouth, pushed her chair ba

l silent. Every eye

t down her fork and knife, her gaze pinning her grandson to his chair. "H

a laugh. "Don't tell me there

ccusation, making him look like a fool who'd been easily

and angry. "You're mistaken," he said, his voice dropp

ne sucked the remainin

in of that?" Millicent pr

ere. "Because our prenuptial agreement stipulates that she is on birth control," he announced to the silent table. He

He had just declared his new wife a potential

still damp from the cold water she'd splashed on it. H

-the pity in one aunt's eyes, the undisguised contempt in another's, the morbid curiosity

walked back to her seat, her head held high. Her voice was hoar

if flimsy, excuse. "I think I have a bit of a s

y most of the table, who quickly busied themselves with

, then nodded to the butler. "Bring Mrs. M

er passed in a thick

med the door shut and grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. He pus

ice a low, dangerous growl. "If you ever, ever try to pull a stun

t flinch. She just looked at him

f all emotion. "Believe me. No one want

-