PHIN

skin. I ignored it. I ignored all of them. I moved to the side of the room, took a glass of

owena approached, their faces plastered with fake smiles that didn't reach their

asm. "What a surprise to see you here. And looking so...

to hear. "Yes, one almost wouldn't recognize you. A titl

, watching the bubbles rise. Then I

and clear. "It's amazing what happens when one stops hidi

ile tightened. Rowena, not clever e

ux pity. "Being cast aside by your fiancé fo

by crowd. This was the attack

st something of value." I took a step closer, letting my Alpha presence press down on her. "Tell me, wh

les. The metaphor was crude, direct, and devastatingly effective. Across the room,

masks of pure fury. They had tried to humiliate

oice spoke from behind me. "Well s

's host, looking regal in a gown of burnished gold. Her eyes were

said, sinking int

crambled to do the s

a hand to me. "Come, walk with me, Baroness Beaumont. I fin

ld. I rose and took her arm, feeling the bur

a low voice as we walked toward the dais. "A

"You knew my fathe

lgic look in her eyes. "A man of true honor. Unlike some of the peacock

proved of the Montgomerys' actions. My wit

I caught sight of Rowena staring longingly at a group of you

here. But as my eyes scanned the glittering ballroom, I saw no sign of him. Where was he? And more importantly, how could a simple paid c