back into her r

er back pressed against the wood. Her body t

, Rose, called softly from the other side of

ed to her brother, a name she wore like a borrowed suit of armor. Rose was

t, her voice a raw whisper. "Just to

tion in the mirror was a stranger: a pale face, swollen lips, and the faint, s

ould erase the humiliating marks. But the more she rubbed, the

gain. "Master, your mother, Lady Brenda, has

Her mother was the last perso

er voice louder, steadier. "

hirt with the highest collar she owned, carefully fa

her wash, her gaze falling on Christal's bare a

pened?" Rose exclaimed, rus

he sleeve down. "I fell last night," she

to press the issue, her eyes filled with

n was twisting a lace handkerchief in her hands, her expression anxious. As a distant relative of the pow

renda managed a weak smile. "Did

to meet her mother's eyes. "It was

ry post. He is a man of great learning and has experience with the Royal Tr

Christal's body went rigid. Go to

't need it. I can

, her brow furrowed. "The Montgomery family has been gracious enough to take us in. You must

ew her mother meant well, but that k

pressing a hand to her stomach. It was true. The night'

renda's expression softened with worry.

instinctively, avoidi

her eyes. "Very well," she said, withdrawing her hand.

rld spinning around her. She collapsed onto her

the estate, Auguste de Montgome

. "Here is the list of all female guests at the banquet l

man, the perfect instrument

ask of indifference. His eyes were

erling who handed you the glass

Sterlings are desperate for a marriage alliance. As for the woman...

terrified eyes and the feel of her skin haunted him