etcher's personal driver, Lewis,

r eye in the mirror. He looked apologetic. "Mr. Montgo

ple slacks and blouse. "I'm

dn't matter,"

ry Estate was a sprawling gothic mansion that looke

o the dining room, th

table was lined only with the inner circle of the Montgomery clan-uncles, aunts, and cousins

yes swept over her wrinkled clothe

late,"

ainst their casual cruelty. She took the empty seat at t

a plate of soup

aking the tension. "And Felicity's gallery opening. Wher

All eyes turned to A

. Curating art takes time. Unlike some peopl

ston grunted, though h

up. "And she brings that sm

ughter went ar

fondness for strays. I think she prefers the company o

n the marble floors," a cousin gig

a cardiothoracic surgeon," she said, her voice cutting t

down. The red liquid sloshed ont

biology. Tell me, Doctor, if you're such an expe

ollowed was absolu

," Presto

n married seven years. And the nursery is still empty. Maybe you should spend less

steland hun

instantly, hot and humiliating. This was their private struggle. Th

scraping loudly agains

he dining room, down the long corridor lined with por

or. She gripped the sink, gasping for air. She l

r from the hallway. Two maids were whispering. "Barren. That

last to drown them out. She sp

leave. She unlocked the door and st

allway. He was leaning against the wall,