e gathered the heavy satin of her gown and pulled open t

, Victoria Carlisle, and his sister, Claire, were pacing,

she saw her. Her tone wasn't one of co

n? What did you do to Et

ie's throat. It was a cold, sharp sound. "You should be askin

, let out a piercing retort. "Stop pretending! You obviously pushed

he family: the spoiled younger sister, always en

ken reprimand. Her eyes, however

ice, landed on Claire. "That's not what he said w

proposed? Men will say anything to get out of a tight spot!

rs of Claire's subtle digs, her condescending smirks, h

lly overriding her fear. "Claire, show some respe

to the bottom of this, perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to take s

her voice to a conspiratorial, venomous hiss. "I told you before, you don't

tely bumping her shoulder against Hal

all. The silver cloverleaf bracelet chimed against the mar

re's face-that smug, untouchable face, and

p and raised her h

ac

sharp and absolute, echoin

d to her cheek, stared at Halli

ilence. No one had ever seen the gentle, sweet

rk on Claire's cheek and felt nothing but the

, "was for the way you'

ice, a shriek of outrage. "

ictoria's eyes fixed on Hallie, cold and shaking. "You're

ve me to it! Your son runs from his own wedding, and you come h

he hall, a few curious guests poked their heads out.

of red and white. Arguing here would

tisfaction. A slap wasn't enough. She would tear t

furious Victoria. "Mom," she said, her voice now

ding fire in her daughte

in her mother's ear. Then she straightened

by thirty minutes," she commanded. "Tell him...