TER

g in her thoughts like cigar smoke. Future Duchess of Ashford. A

fternoon sun like shards of gold. The harpist's notes floated on the bre

er court gathered in a neat arc around her. Evie smoot

"What a beautiful afternoon you've created. The gar

smile tugged at her mouth, not quite reaching her eyes. "You're ki

e of movement shifted the circle. C

liarity that wasn't earned overnight. "The tulips ar

med - warmer, lighter. "Miss

ted. "I only try to

Duchess said, her voice carrying just enough fo

replied, eyes glinting like she'd

Duchess turned back to her with a nod - polite, dismi

ding words with a viscount about racehorses. Hi

e Duchess?" she asked, cutting

she gathers her closest, most trusted ladies. Influence gets tr

rate. "Not a word." She took a

outh quirk

" Evie said, not angril

y to her. Old ties, old loyalties." He studied her f

uditioning for anyone's approval, Miles. If someone can't see my worth

w and genuine. "T

ning toward the sound of the string

les's side like a sunbea

, almost teasing, "Kaiden's wait

re you and Kaiden swear you're not

radition, darling. Now come

djusting her skirts, cu

Family, friends... the oldest of friends. Arabella, Kaide

spark of mischief in he

- polite, deliberate. "I'm afraid... it's rather an inner-circle

urse,I appreciate your relevant information. I w

don't read too much into it before letting

, players grabbing mallets with all the ceremony of a courtl

s Sin

r of someone who'd been told his whole life that women found him charming. He bowed

vie said, smiling. "Yes

. "I'm short a partner, and I've been told yo

oyal games altogether. But her gaze slid to the lawn, where Camila was laugh

e tugging at her lips. "And what made

with quiet humor. "And the fact that I

m wonder, then allowed her lips to curve.

one accustomed to formal dances, not casual g

brows rising in barely concealed surprise. Arabella's expression flickered - curiosity, annoya

sharp, and confident. The kind of smil

ite hoops glinting in the sunlight, and clusters of guests fanning themselves under cream-colored paraso

ice and a clipboard, called the openi

abella had a way of drifting into an opponent's line just before their swing, her wide skirts conveniently billowing into their space. Kaiden's s

Arabella "helpfully" pointed out a stray thread on her dress. Another pla

ed to just three teams: Arabella and Kaid

e but impersonal. Arabella's laughter trilled across the lawn whenever someone faltered. James, in contrast, was loose and easy in his styl

st a fraction , close enough for the faintest thwack of wood against Evie's shin as she

ed cleanly thr

efore she could hit the grass, James's hand was at her back, steady and sure

me the w

you se

he was with L

perfect toge

Evie being "his" had momentarily slipped his mind. But the murmurs reached him, and something in his gaze shar

t: "Point to Fairfax and Si

alter, but his jaw was tight. Camila's smile was faint, almost polite ,except fo

ling, the quartet striking up again. Evie, still with Jame

smile tightened to something brittle. Without a word, she turned and glided away from the la

nt, a crisp voice cut cl

es, a

red without hesitation. Miles glanced once toward the lawn, his ga

gance."Quite the display with James Fairfax" she

. "She tripped. She was v

other man's arms in public, with half the county watching.People are talking." Her eyes lingered on Evie a heartbeat too long, like a j

ghtened. "Evie

rception, my dear boy, ruins faster than truth.And that girl," the pause deliberate, her ga

a approached, her expression the p

ar?" the Duchess asked her wa

though her gaze slid to Mil

, but she said nothing more. Miles excused h