the Bennett esta

isibly startled

be the young mistress. And thinking about how Lucas and Miss Mor

ew close aides like Ethan and him, no one else

," he said, his v

Mrs. Bennett's earlier instructions

eerful voice broke the silence: "Yay, I won ag

opped in

lank. But almost instantly, e

eh

let out a cold laugh

ressed-just a loose white shirt and jeans. Her long hair was loosely tied back with a head

air, her eyes bright, and her lips a soft red. Ther

d up and saw her walk in. Surpr

are

lm but laced with sarcasm. "Huh, weren't you suppose

.

eyes, guilt flashi

ood up and walked over to Claire,

t you. I'm F

ce at her, treating her

elen entered

look, then pulled Fiona

ng yourself? Make your

"introduce" Claire,

our company. I had something

ignal-she didn't acknowledge Claire's position in the family and wanted Fiona to know that Claire was

th a smirk. "Oh, so she'

woman. Her gaze was fixed on L

see if he'd

look on his face, as if nothing

ow embarrassed she was."Mrs. Bennett, didn't you want to talk to me

then. But since you're alr

ngs to do," Claire said,

hrough the room, sh

a meal, is that how you resp

steady as she looked at Helen for a second. "

er and picked

, latching onto his arm. "Luc

rm away, eyes drif

ugh upon closer inspection-it wasn't some grandmaster's match a

ed how to play nice, ju

sarcasm curling at her lips. "Sure

lightly, clearly annoyed, and h

ting the pieces, full of co

king, rolling it between he

arp and deliberate, while Claire's seemed almost careless, her pieces wandering without clear purpose.

said n

laire to intercept at the last moment. Her confidence wavered, frustration cr

Claire? That wou

," Claire

, she slid her rook into position, eyes locked on Claire, praying she hadn't

iona declared

ately applau

unhurried-lifted her knight and

bishop and queen had already woven a

eir faces