beneath the storm of her family's outrage. She knew her

ame thought. He forced a calm into his voice. "Sullivan, my fat

ce sharp and accusing. "That's right. Charles would never leav

s face unreadable. "Mr. Solomon is corre

is's eyes. This was it. The loophole. The c

gaze swept the room before finally settling on A

must enter into a contract of marriage with

Every head swiveled in unison, a sea of shocked faces turning to

el of wealth and power that made the Solomons look like new money. Kerr War

self, dreaming of the day she'd catch Kerr Ward's eye. This news was cr

red between her brows. Her gaze drifted to the back, landing on the man who was now her proble

disbelief, a rush of overwhelming gratitude. A poor girl from the country,

e. Her voice was flat,

ref

king it clear this wasn't a negotiation, "The marriage

ef. Refusing billions was madness. Refusing Kerr Ward was sacrilege. They cou

'd prepared for tears, for pleading, for a f

detached amusement, now held a sharp, probing intensity. He looked at Arlie. Something unreadable flickered in his g

as easily as walking away from a boring conversation. Her action was a grenade thrown i

ullivan's voice was urgent. "Mr. Solo

ut didn't turn around. Her

touched Kerr Ward's lips. This was getting inter

e washed over her. Why would he look at the woman who'

sitely awkward spot. They were the beggars now,

t across the crowded room. His was filled with a h

e. His voice was a low, resonant bariton

inish, Mr.