lara hadn't slept. She had stared at the ornate ceiling of her room all n

und an ice pack in the small kitchenette of her suite,

tent knock rat

be here any minute!" It was Sharon, h

ead, wishing she could disappear i

n with a spare key. The scent of her s

till in bed. "Do you want the Kensingtons t

onto the bed. It was the kind of dress meant

ce muffled by the duvet. "My f

sympathy. "Don't you forget, you live under the Carlisle roof. You will follow the ru

She leaned on furniture as she slowly, painfully, pulled on the blan

staircase, she heard the crunch of tires on the gravel drivew

e was a vision in a powder-blue couture suit, her blonde hair styled

aces wreathed in welcoming smiles. The sight was so

haron, and landed directly on Elara, who was hesitating at the top of the

saying. "I'd like you to meet E

t a detached, clinical description th

re Elara. Julian has told me so much about you." The li

edly to Elara's swollen ankle, which was shoved into a pla

she asked, her voice dripping with fa

essively. She looked back at Elara, her smile widening. "I'm not very familiar

command. A power play delivere

ightened. "I

voice low but sharp with war

tone leaving no room for argument. "El

There was

own the stairs. She led the way through the house and ou

ly slowing her pace, forcing Elara to

r tone light and conversational, as if she were inter

red, her replies clipped a

murmured, as if art was a

had once been Elara's sanctuary. The bushes

had nurtured from a cutting. She plucked a perfect rose from its st

rectly at Elara, her eyes gleaming with malice. "He said he can't wait

elf, three years ago, after Julian had casually mentioned he li

curve of her lips. This was what she wanted. Not just to take Elara's place,