n doors of Manhattan's St.Thomas Church as livered do

er hair was pulled back in a sleek chignon, her expression solemn but controlled. In one hand, she held a table

" murmured Natalie, her assistant for t

the growing crowd. "Any

ok her head

James St. James Sr. had slipped away in his sleep, Harper holding his hand until the end. Two weeks of Harper running interference with the board, ma

. K

wife of James Sr. had arrived from Switzerland the day after his death, and while she and Ha

g a respectful nod. "Everything is in

er the gathering mourners

sband was wel

ected, feared, admired. Yes." She hesitated

xpression neutral. "Not yet.

n's in photographs, studied Harper's f

per off guard. "I've neve

sn't my

pected your husband immensely. He spoke

lt to know. Even for those who love him." She glanced toward the door. "He'

at her elbow. "The mayor just arrived, and the

back to Elizabeth. "Exc

"You've done a remarkable job, Ms. Knox. James would

t in Harper's chest. She managed a tight smile before moving away, her he

t. The church filled to capacity, a testament to James St. James Sr.'s influence in New York business circles.

James Jr.

t, the same sharp blue eyes, the same confident set to his shoulders. But where his father's face had been

ly longer than was strictly conservative. As he moved into the

firmly in place. This was the moment she'd been dreading for two wee

said, extending her h

tion-and something else-crossing his face bef

over the phone, with the faintest hint of an accent

away. "The service is about to begin. I've reserved

aw at the mention of Eliza

rd the sanctuary. "I

ir progress. The whispers intensified. Everyone knew about the estrangement between father an

ged a brief, murmured greeting that Harper couldn't hear. Then Jamie's eyes swept over the crowded pews,

ion remaine

play and the reverend appeared, she caught Jamie glancing back at her, his gaze assessing.

ad, remembrances offered by carefully selected colleagues. When it came time for the eulogy, Harper r

out over the sea of faces. So many powerful people, so many who had

steady. "His business acumen was legendary, his strategic vision unparalle

ng her gaze to dri

the office before dawn. Who remembered the names of every employee's children. W

mentor who had seen potential in a young woman with no connections and given her a chance to prove herself. She did not

that a person's true legacy isn't measured in dollars or square footage, but

e, carefully avoiding Jamie's gaze. She didn't w

otes faded, Harper stood to coordinate the procession

is voice low enough that only she could hear. "

. "One might almost believe

e, perhaps both. Before he could respond, Elizab

arrangements?" El

aiting at the side entrance to avoid the press. Mr. St. Jame

ie said curtly. "I have

he reception, Jamie. Surely yo

ther undergo root canal. "Of cou

parted for him-not out of respect, as they had for his father, bu

zabeth said quietly, watching he

ed Jamie St. James Jr. had inherited his father's pride and presenc

James," she said, guiding the

enthouse. She circulated among the guests, ensuring glasses were filled and conversations flowed smoothly. Severa

otherwise remained aloof, nursing a single glass of sco

Financial Officer. At sixty-two, Novak had the distinguished silver hair and confident bearing of ol

not quite reaching his eyes. "A

you, Mr

Have you had a chance to s

s resented Harper's influence with James Sr., had al

re there will be time for more

ere's to be a reading of the will tomorrow. I imag

her professional smile. "I wouldn't know, Mr.

h very little seems outside your purview, Ms.

ared beside them. "Novak," he said, nod

replied smoothly. "Your father

to Harper. "Everyone seems quite impres

ather valued efficiency and discretio

vering his eulogy," Jamie obser

he replied evenly. "As he did regardin

sion. "You had a lot of power for a

with insinuation. Harper felt heat risi

Mr. St. James. The

, we should schedule some time to discuss the transition.

per. "Tomorrow, after the will reading. My f

excusing himself with a final

tensity. "You know, for someone who was 'just an assistant

plex man, Mr. St. James. He compartmentalized his l

voice dropping. "Then why did he trust you

Harper off guard. For a moment, she glimpse

arefully, "because he

"You don't know anything about me or my

help you understand the company he built. And despite

across his face. "H

arper straightened her shoulders. "Now, if you'll exc

e St. James was not what she had expected. Arrogant, yes. Cold, certainly. But there was something else

guests, she caught Jamie watching her from across the room. Their

ole new set of complications. Harper had promised James Sr. she would help his