ght of the room pr

knuckles whitening. She forced herself to breathe, to hol

s she wearing the exact same d

beside her, his sharp eyes narr

ng both hands in his pockets,

r head, watchin

tion, an apology, even a trace of concern for the fac

slow sip of his drink, h

e," he said simply, setting h

nhaled

ist

n casual conversation with another guest as if she hadn

asn't just

inten

r in clear disapproval. "And you didn't think to

"It's just a dress, Grandfat

flin

a d

as. But to her, it

e had in this marriage. How easily she cou

James could dismiss her feel

his gaze shifti

ion softene

ight, my dea

lump in her throat,

m f

he wa

, for the first time that evening

e-something unreadable, someth

one as quick

of attention," he murmured, lea

ach twisted

say it out

ause she was e

traightening her should

s st

uckle, watching them

teresting," the

his piercing gaze l

His voice was quieter now

surprise, lifted h

she challenged. "Then I might as well

mes' face, but before he could r

matching dress purred. "

d, her hear

a glass of wine in one hand, her o

tiful-of cou

and a knowing smile that sent war

ture shifted, his

r no

d Dou

continued, her gaze flickering to Riv

fists, refusing to

coolly. "But somethi

n's smil

lightly, as if

a Chen," she

blood

hit her l

knew

yone

James Prior's

siness tabloids, had once be

ed herself

let this woman

.. Victoria s

irk de

Mrs. Prior," she sa

he said it-mocking, patronizing, as

es, watching his

ng? Would he step in

Jame

said n

ld River everything

wasn't ju

as th