cking rhythmically against the marble. She reached the vast,

m-colored envelopes re

y handing Eleanor a silver letter op

ve paper. She sliced open the first envelope. Heavy gold-leaf

nvitation. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the

ast night," Clara informed her, her voice low. "With

e, expecting a flash of ang

er stomach did not twist. She tossed the Kensington in

ble, dark red wax seal of Camilla Beaumont, Julian's stepmot

ont political fundraiser. A handwritten note at the bo

d from the top

igner morning gown that cost more than a car. She

broken red wax seal of the Beaumont family in Eleanor's hand. A sharp fla

e marble table, stretching her hand out to snatch the Beau

mmed two fingers down on the envelop

ch away. She looked up, her fak

abelle should attend the Beaumont gala this weekend. You

into Lillian's eyes. Her

a Sinclair," Eleanor stated

a physical blow. Her perfectly manicured nails dug so har

s you shouldn't show your face anyway. Given the rumors about Julian.

kdown. She wanted to see Eleanor inse

relevant," Eleanor replied calmly. She didn't blink. "As long as the Beaumont polit

atement short-circuited her brain. She realized, with a sinking feeling in her stomach, that she

ion out from under her fin

own," Eleanor ordered. "Something

about this. I will tell Robert that you are bei

d him that his campaign trust is up for my grandmother's review next week. It wou

Her eyes widened as the threat landed. She realized Eleanor wasn't ju

ismissed the woman's presence as if Lillian were a

creen displayed a grainy paparazzi photo of Julian and I

contacts suppress

Let the tabloids run it. Boost the algorithm. I want a publi

rategy perfectly. She pulled out her own phon

metal against her wrist was a grounding sensation. "I hav

t out a frustrated noise. She turned sharply and retreated

eanor instructed Clara, not even looking up as Lillian fled

uments for the matriarch. She turned away from the foyer and wal