as though it might sprout fangs. The Blackwood crest was embossed on the

e the seal and unfolded the

Mo

essed as a matter of urgency. I propose a meeting at your earliest convenience-3 P

ll come to take

tand the severity

ga

n Bla

s. It had happened. The moment he had feared for years, ever since old Augus

ten. That Julian would be too busy with bigger fish to fry, to bother wit

lion dollars and interest might have been pocket change to a

hings of care around her eyes; his youngest daughter, Isabelle, all of seventeen, and already a mirror of her mother's same anxiet

ut twist. She deserved better than

er confirming the reality of his situation. In half an hour, a

then

re crushing than his father's disgrace. His family would lose it all - t

ess

as so disgusting he attempted to dismiss it. But, simply a

ose the deal on tha

l their financial woes, still had connections to some of the oldest and most powerful families i

with where his own thoughts wer

oward his doom, the unthinkable star

Monroe's estate. The driver, stony-faced in his

oulders and entered the vehicle, feeling

bition. They took Reginald straight to the top floor, and there Julian's assistant -

assistant said, his tone implying that

, reaching a hand over the broad distance

ks for coming on

nald felt dry-mouthed. "Mr. Blackwood. I

a chair. "Please, sit. Would you care for

uggling to lower himself onto the e

t's dispense with excuses and pleas for

d like a physical bl

s tone matter-of-fact. "An estimated seven million in total, in my estimation. A sum wh

"Mr. Blackwood, there mus

rfect not to be artificial. Well, actually I have an offer

hope flickered in Regi

nly intent gaze. "I hear you hav

d's breast in an instant, leaving behind a

it. Oxford educated, cultured, of a family with the right connections - if not with the right financi

my daughter? "In return

r whole family. Financial security. Legal protection from all those many creditors who would love to hear t

: Julian would compel calling in the

stuttered, reaching for straws. "Adeline i

ly yours. You're the girl's father, after all, and wit

The words barely es

and daughters why they end up homeless by the end of the month. Why Isabelle will have to give up her Ju

m was rotating and swirling around him. "You

wealth and stability. I get networking and a proper hostess when I entertain socially. And

sk. "The contract. Read it carefully. Yo

galese dancing in front of his eyes

orrow. Small, private, elegant. "

eginald's vo

m not a patient man, Mr. Monr

ost casually, "Oh, and, Mr. Monroe? You could do make sure that Adeline understand

d between them,

, Reginald Monroe broke down, finally let himself cry, the cont

h a desperation. Please God let her

ity streamed past, he knew with harrowing cert