t, she lay still, the weight of reality settling over her. This wasn't a dream. She was now Aless

up, inhaling slowly. This is just anot

at the door m

me

eatly folded before her. "G

familiar. Mrs. Arquette. It felt strange on he

nce at breakfast," the maid continue

ssumed last night's conversation had set a clear precedent: th

her nightgown. "I'l

long stone pathway led to an elegant wrought-iron table, where Lucian sat, his back to her. The crisp

eautiful. Decep

steps, the heels of her sho

she took her seat across

wouldn't appr

aside and finally m

quiet clink of porcelain

before speaking. "I was s

ainst the armrest. "We have an announcement to make today.

sn't about them. I

er cup down, forcing a polit

tched, almost amu

wless in his control-every move, every word measured and deliberate. But

is jaw, the way his fingers flexe

to do this," she

ion of a second before he set his knif

who's truly indifferent wouldn't

ckered behind his eyes. Not anger

rig

ad peop

ll shrug. "I'v

ward, resting his forearms on the table. "Since w

e as he studied her, hi

e said smoothly. "But you've already

against her lap, bu

rked. "Sma

ll me, Lucian. If I hadn't been the one chose

p his glass of whiskey-whiskey, a

id, "I stopped fight

way he said it sent

once been someone who fought. But he did

her more-the resignation in his voic

respond, a voice

cia

sharply against the stone. She was stunning-tall, poised, with sl

d, though his expression

ette. The formidable matriarch of the Arquette family.

lessandra, assessing. "I see t

ponse was co

dn't cower. She had learned long ago that women

essandra greeted sm

yes. "The pleasure is mine. After all, it's n

Alessandra wasn't foolish eno

r role here," Isabella cont

led sharply

abella's gaze never left Alessandra

her palm, but she forced a

ly, as if satisfied with the answer.

enched. "That's

ulder, unconcerned. "I'll see

at, she tur

dra and Lucian was thic

Alessandra noted, her v

ed. "She doe

ing the smirk playing at her lips. "Wel

r the briefest moment, something clos

gone in a

erything els