Marc

rres Somnia had no doubt gawked at hours earlier when the news broke, James Beaumont felt his heart break one more time. It

the engaged Prince Aaron. It was night time, his body and dishevelled clothes covered hers and the lighting in the elevator was so

wasn't such a stretch. Besides, who could've imagined that they

e House of Arden must know about the prince's betrayal by now or soon would. It would be all about reaction and politics and

n be this reckless? Couldn't he at least have been discreet if he had to revert to a past hubris at s

t the scandal that had resulted in Aaron's fiancee being born the bastard child of Duke Arden. Having himself been labe

e years ago when The King's Guard came after him and his mother. He had only recently again emerged into noble

oping it would go unnoticed as he risked his now peaceful life to do so. He had done this

her and Aaron. Still, he had let go of his reservations. He had done so for her, sh

ut her again. This girl whose golden locks smelled of her innocence, her purity. He first laid eyes on her

aron came to him. Aaron had been a noble brother, making no effort to oust him and instead welcoming him and accepting him as of his party. They went around the

ames without a word. James watched with interest as they locked hands and took off. He thought for sure it would fizzle out in time, having grown up with Aaron and knowing his affinit

to take orders, he seemed so much taken with her that James was certain he had let go of his attachment to Emily. How could he have been so wrong? How could he have made plans f

in the lane next to his. They were filled with tears, shock and devastation. They looked as he felt.

ense. Being in the public eye would wreck his mother. He didn't need to be part of this war. He could simply disap

r car off on the quiet streets of Caines. Zoey started. Bart

gone home to pack. But he had seen, he had been betrayed and he had laid eyes on her again. Those

s face now brought him pain. Was it really so very bad that

, he got out of the car and raised hi

yelled, sticking his h

d, because he was looking at her and on

ing another woman. More than kissing. It was evident that they meant to do so much more. But those greener than green eyes drew her in until there was noth

details of James' upbringing, was undoubtedly justified in being suspicious of h

he lady, if she will

time nor the place,

she breathed, almost

rt drew his fingers through his hair as he contemplated what to do. He gave her a lo

to James as he watched h

is head then

ised, folding his arms and lean

he barely knew him. All she knew about James Beaumont was that he seemed to be shrou

t unsettled her. It was how familiar he continued

talked to him, but she wouldn't say that they k

ish to discuss?"

or decision agreeing to speak with him after all. T

new instinctively what clothes he would buy when he walked into a store. He knew how to solve a problem before it had even been reported to him. What he didn

orld like she would burst back into tears at any moment. For the second t

rry

unsaid the next moment. Her large, v

what did y

ame, as though wi

" he said, "and I