e. She stepped onto the white gravel path of the private gardens, headi

ly against the stones. The rhyth

rose trellis outside Genevi

clearly visible from Genevieve's sitting room window. Isabelle was sobbing loud

did not say a word. She simply allowed the heavy, judgmental silence to

d. She clutched her hand ov

pology. "I'm so sorry! Last night with Julian... it was an accident. We were just

he watched Isabelle's theatrical performance with the clin

altered under Eleanor's unwavering, dead-eyed stare.

his specific production?" Eleanor fin

ropped the lace handkerchief onto her lap. Her victim

less!" Isabelle accused a

physically fell over Isabelle, plunging the younger girl into darkness. Isa

r stated bluntly. "You are welcome to h

idly. "Are you... are you calling off the

harp laugh. It was a sound

g to a dangerous whisper. "I am marrying the Beaumont political netwo

es. "Julian loves me! He told me he's going to break the

d received earlier. She opened the card and shoved the thick paper with its handwritten note dir

Julian's recent lapse in judgment is being handled. We ha

he blood drained from her face. She realized

r whispered coldly, leaning in so close Isabelle

s. The romantic delusion she had built in her head was completely decimated. She realized s

sobbing girl. She dismiss

heavy oak door of Genevieve's suite. Sh

Davies, the chief estate manager, who bo

te. The air was thick with the scent o

ack chair by the roaring fireplace. Her piercing

he peace of my garden?" Genevieve dem

air opposite her grandmother. She smo

the emotional trash," E

approving smirk. She appreciated her grand

eve asked directly, tapping her silver-tipped cane against th

"I accept the alliance purely for political l

sment over the paparazzi photos, to extract a highly favorable prenuptial agreement. I

o tap her heavy pearl necklace. She was officiall

from the hallway outside the suite.

ert Sinclai

exhausted look. The brass handle of the