t sliding home with a satisfying thud. It wouldn't hold I

crinoline cage. She undid them with practiced ease and kicked the cumbersome hoop skirt away. Then, she

iation would enrage him, and that rage would fall squarely on her and the Galvan

milled about, their laughter echoing off the stone walls. She waited for a gap, t

e of the chapel. Two men in dark, impeccably tailored suits stood guard ou

blocking her path with a polite but firm arm.

e directly, her voice steady and clea

spoke quietly into a microphone on his wrist. "Sir, Ms. Galvan is here. She says it

her

d steppe

inside. The room was dim, the air cool

, elegant fingers rested on the armrest, perfectly still. His eyes, the color of a stormy sea, were fixed on her, deep

suit, Riley Page, stood beside him, his expr

ian rug. She stopped a few feet in front of him, deliberately keeping her ga

oke, was like gravel and ice.

he rumors. Or perhaps he

her tone direct.

his features. His fingers tapped a slow, delibe

, lowering her voice.

narrowed

st asks if I take you as my husband, Erwin Woods

searching for any sign of a lie, any

a question. "So why aren't you w

Bonnie said, the words sharp and honest. "And I nee

ion seemed to disarm him. He despised hypocris

sharp, touched his lips. "A

is scene, I need you to back me up. Don't let

e of the church bells began to tol

yer of her pretense, seeing the desperate, determined core beneath. He seemed to b

rd the door. As he passed her

disappo

oulders easing for the first time that day.

neuvering it himself. Bonnie fell into step behind them as they moved to