TER

y had ju

ald satin, her curls gathered in a loose twist that framed her face with grace. People had begun to whisper,

around the ballroom with the slight unease of someone who k

us?" she murmured wi

he replied,

dressed in sharp black-his aide

she foll

la A

t never aged. Everything about her screamed polish-expensive, rehearsed, cold. Her blonde hair was swept up in

"Camila!" she squealed, darting off with the exci

he asked, turning toward Miles

side. Not enough to draw attenti

my ex," he

hrew her arms around her. The scene looked almos

ted. "And

ed her head, greeting Arabella, laughing soft

nterrupted the

stunning as the gir

be late twenties-with a navy tux that fit like it

ed. "Lord S

ve my boldness. I've met nearly every woman here

y, her hand extende

d, with a raised brow. "Now I u

lfriend. Not a cousin. Not a plus-one. A girlfriend. And one charming enough to

awing Evie into light conversation

ured by tension itse

the floor, all smil

on. Her eyes swept him up and down like a

cured hand rose to gently rest on Miles' ches

saw

r hand around Miles' arm and tilting her

tly, feigning surpris

t be Evie," she said, smiling lik

"Funny. I've hea

, even the string quartet seemed to quiet. C

letting her hand linger a moment longer on his chest

vie, who gave him the faintest, calculated smile. They

it was an inside joke. "I have to say,

hroat. "Aren't they?" She turned slightly, letting the

l. I once had a pearl just like that. Give

d steel, "you must've dropped it when he realized

red, lips parted in disbelief, but Evie had already turn

saw Lady Penelope by the roses. You said s

e just followed her l

r lips twitching in rage

of earshot, Evie wh

st escaping. "I've never seen her

. "Well, I p

nicured, lined with lanterns, white roses, and ivy-covered trellises that glitt

ne. Classical music floated on the breeze, and nobles clustered in

ook it

beneath the charm, sh

of perf

wer p

l

walking into a pl

nd some of these actors will eat

e centerpiece with cherubs frozen in danc

said with a polite bow, "

aintest twist. She looked

fine," he

e west arch of the garden, where the Duke stood beneath

th a genteel nod. "Miss Sinclair," he said, voice deep and

she had been rehearsing in her head

on the summer air. Courtiers and guests drifted like finely dressed ghosts in the distance, but

"You handled Miss Alcott with... remarkable

plied evenly. "Though I didn't

er a sidelong glance, "y

g. "Forgive me, Your Grace...

face her fully now, hands clasped behind

slowly, "as the futur

bli

the breeze see

n, her smile hold

eeze through the per

tilted slightly, lips partin

, voice velvet-smooth. "A m

orward, her hands cla

ou and the Duchess per

knowing smile, his gaze ling

oth as aged brandy. "You wear it well, Miss Evely

ucked two crystal flutes, offering

d lightly. "Now... enjoy the evening

dy fingers, a flicker of some

, Miles shot her a

reaking free-quiet, genuin