f the maids, barely audible behind the thick velvet curta

It loomed like a gothic painting stone pillars, wrought iron balconies, ivy climbing its bones like something alive. Rain

an immaculate tuxedo greeted her with a bow. "Miss Vance, welcome to Bla

to watch her. Stags in gold frames. Portraits of Ashfords past regal, cruel-face

se from her tufted chaise lounge. Her tailored navy dress clung to a frame

idn't reach her eyes. "How quaint. Westo

salt-and-pepper hair was combed to gleaming precision. He

s voice was low and sharp,

ffic," Georgia

ed. "We value punctu

eels making little declarations with each step

as it amusement or irritati

oaned beneath her, but her sp

did she spill or glance away. "Tell me, Miss Van

usiness. But since I'm marrying Weston under his terms,

ured. "Our son's brilliant idea of pre

esperate?" Georg

you?" Lu

nearly as desperate as you

e. Then, Alexander leaned forwa

. How far are you wi

felt the weight of every gaze as she stepped inside. The table was long, enough to hos

k suit, darker eyes. He didn't smile. Didn't

late,"

m starting to think punctuality

"You'll need a sharp

the plate too polished. As Georgia sat, whispers flitted around her like

d. Forks moved in

man down the table, "you're

mid-slice through her

e Ric

arm

the table. Not kind lau

may. Tonight, we welcome Georgia Vance to our

r fork clattered

arine sweetness. "May she prove he

e down her throat. Westo

allway, Weston

like the toa

like being

xed. "Get u

m free. "They don

k they welcomed me with open arms

loser. "So th

breathe under th

ble to sleep. She traced her fingers along the wood-pan

st wing and paused. Voices drif

han I expected,"

der replied. "Weston's blinded by his gu

leaned

hissed. "We should have given her

he girl. It's abo

s heart

s out why she r

ot if we pla

her throat. She didn't notice the servant behind her until

ed open. Lucy'

r?" she said sweetly. "

er mouth was dry. He

... admirin

s," Lucy whispered. "Be

t Georgia, Alex

r pulse thunder. Whatever game she'd walked in

t sure she co

ame, she tried it. Locked. She ste

e wooden frame at

carving with

a floorboa

ep her voice steady as Weston entered the

ured a glass of wine. Silence hun

w you had a c

't. I

ed. "You

und so su

berately. She followed suit.

oulders relaxed. His mouth softened. A laugh al

that," she

ed to hers. He

is hand, fingertips b

od so fast his chair

es

" he growled,

quieted. Georgia wandered, insomni

n's s

s ajar. Inside, shadows stretch

ver frame faced aw

eath c

and Weston. Laughi

known it st

n here," came his v

the doorway, shirt unbuttoned at the

dn't

, closing the door behind him. "You jus

s not

is you coming back an

looking fo

d closer,

s you don't want to find,"

rawer. "Like this," he whispered, pulling out