her charade; he was an active, willing participant in a game she was only just beginning to understand. Her ne

as slightly ajar. Peeking through the crack, she saw him si

. This was it. If he

ed as if listening, his fingers tapping a silen

eyes scanned the desk and landed on a heavy, crystal paperweight-a

w to the ground, aiming for the side of the desk. Her plan was simple: "accidentally" brush against the desk, knock the paperweight to the floo

nd outstretched, when his v

ooking for

r balance, flailed for a moment, and then tumbled out from beh

ile was gone, replaced by an expression of cold inquiry. "My

d and landed on the intricate floral pattern of the rug. "Flowers!"

xcuse, Mrs. Gable's voice announced from

her to her feet with surprising strength. He dragged

s expression severe. He was here to inspect the merchandise-to see the

wild-haired, wide-eyed girl who looked more like a fright

er," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice, "I'd like you to mee

a hand, attempting a civil greeting. "He

on his perfectly knotted silk tie. She reached out

, her voice full of

de of purple. In his eighty years, no o

beside her, Chloe heard a low, soft chuckle. It came fro

h an open window, and gave chase. She ran through the drawing room, a whirlwind of chaos, her laughter echoing off

s. Cornelius looked as if he

the audacity to say to his apoplectic grandfather,

dson, his broken, bitter grandson, looking on with an expression of actual enjoyment