ight fell. Her husband, Lord

edding ceremony, sending his younger cousi

, gossiping about how insignificant Gabriella mu

ured the same humiliation, becoming

d, a man of cold dispo

raphina out, he never remarried, remai

his old wounds relapsed, le

aid, Eliza, to have the kitchens prepare a war

eaked open. A gust of cold night air swept in, carr

he remembered from his brief appearances at court, dressed

old and detached, like a general inspecting new artillery.

, but she maintained a serene expression. She had

brushing coldly against her cheek a

. His gaze was

Or I suppose it is Lady Lucas now. There are certa

ilent, her hands fol

y three adopted sons." He paused, letting the harsh honesty sink in. "This marriage is nothing more than that.

f ice, methodically dissectin

ered-a flawless imitation o

im a brief glimpse of disappointment in her eyes before masking it away. "I understand, my lord," she said, her

llow me to fulfill my duties to the children. To care for them as if they were my own." She pressed her advantage, her tone filled with t

chink in his armor. His so

, searching for an

found

o knew her place and offe

eld her bre

tween them, thick wi

en relaxed. Finally, the rigid line of

said stiffly. A

to leave for the ad

cold brass doorknob, Gabriell

. Please