er departure was

y's hair. Emily had her dark curls, but Kenney's

ma?" Emily asked, twisti

aid, smoothing a curl around her finger. "To ensure we

th you," Em

ked. "I can't.

yd marched in. She began rifli

You're going to the Royal Lodge, not a nunnery. You need

she said coolly. "Humility is

n a bottle of French perfume on Imogene's vanity. Before Im

he brat," Lady Lloyd mu

empty space on t

er bedroom door. She could hear his breathing. He wanted to come in. He wanted t

t the Lodge would always be questioned. But a child conceived on

t a crack. Kenney was pacing in th

hispered, her v

d. "Imogene. I thou

let a single tear trace a path down her cheek. "I'm so

ity, worked like a key in a lock. His face sof

e said, stepping into the

t for tonight. Before... before I go. I need t

will not to recoil from his touch, from the scent of his ambition and his betrayal. She

he altar of her revenge. He saw a frightened, dutiful wife seeking comfort. He had no idea

an hour. She walked to the bed and looked at E

iled. She picked up Emily's favorite teddy bear.

out Kenney's minor embezzlements-the ones he had already committed, not the big

er inside the bear a

e," she whispe

e stood by the windo

ied of him. She had been a weeping mess. This time, she knew hi

He wanted a connection

la. But she would give

ke a bruise o

nce. It was black, lacquered, and bore

. He wouldn't look at the coac

ttered. "Don't ke

k with the hood pulled up

elled of milk and sleep. Emily started to

napped. He grabbed Emily'

r!" she hissed,

led, shocked

me, then stood up. She walked out the d

r slamm

away. Kenney was already turning back into the house,

ry. The tear

against the pl

ne," she said t

at the Lodge would be