you," Aubrielle repeated quietly and stiffened as shards of pain

He already questioned a man like Evercroft rushing to the altar. What he knew of the unrep

ed. She was never good at hiding deceit. He saw through her effort

as he pleased, with whomever he pleased. He disdained marriage and all it stood for. He wouldn't

le going to the notorious nobleman tormented him in those moments, mindful of the lurid gossip surrounding him.

arry a young woman like Aubrielle, with no fortune, title, or background. The marquis

it not worth their reputations to go anywhere near the man. He was not above ruining any female who c

asn't at all th

nce more. The man was not above using his own sister to line his pockets. He coul

ngrily. "Don't lie of it! I'm no fool! We both kno

e closed her eyes, trembling under his fierce stare. The voices mocked her desir

awned as his dark eyes widened. He paled in livid outrage. "You went to

ble to see how her words affected him. "I'm so sorry, Dorian. Rafael wanted an agreem

ut his lips. "That handles matters rather nicely. It's very direct and to the point; cutting

ease, don't look at me like that. Rafael got Lord Evercroft into his cups. He drug

er with incredulity. "You would go along with forcing the man? And all

old draperies in the salon. You steal food at every ball you attend to feed you

Don't seek to justify what you're doing! We talk a

, sensing his growing rage. "When you calm down

orian looked ready to go find Rafael at that mo

y, her nails digging into her palms. "Threats of being sued made him

had no bloody choice in

cheeks in hot rivulets. "I won't see my brother dead when there is a means to solve ev

. Whatever the problems, we will deal with them. Don't do this or you will live to regret it a

ilies. If you care for me at all, you will say not

our being together as a mistake? You gave yourself to me! You pledged

the wealthy merchant's daughter, and soon. She raised her ch

him away before it's too late! There was no other way. If he would hate h

, Dorian. We had no right to act upon our feelings as we did, thinking all