anor's feet, massaging her legs with gentle devotion. The moment Chloe entered, Cassie scrambled up, all nervous

e raised in this house. Stop acting like a kicked dog in front of her." His glare at Chl

e fell silent but his expression remained thundero

old shoulder last night. She looked at Griselda, whose expression wavered between guilt and defiance. Whatev

er's supplements," Gri

ldn't stand another minute of Chloe's frozen silenc

Chloe closer. "Come, sit with Grandmother." Chloe settled beside her, let

e paused, visibly reluctant. "Do you still have feelings for Conrad? Is he truly the only man you'll accept?" The question

ing a change in marital arrangements. Eleanor had thrown them out-but she couldn't protect Ch

he engagement," Chloe

tly. They want to... substitute." Th

place. Chloe's reputation was destroyed. An outright broken engagement would create a blood feud between the families. But no one wanted a

ly's reputation. No one had considered what Chloe

s perfectly calm, as if discussing the w

evoted to Conrad," Eleanor finally managed. "You would have

mained flat. "I stopped caring about him a lon

ucking herself against Griselda's arm. The silent exchange between them was more honest than any word

l find you a suitable match." She didn't believe it. They both knew the truth-Chloe's reputation was radioactive. N

only want to stay by

elped her to bed and quietly left instructions with Mrs. Gable-a new supplement formulation for Eleanor's care. "A friend pro

, his tall frame blocking the sun, radiating an arctic cold that made her body tremble involuntarily. Even after three years, standing this clos

furious. "The engagement was set long ago. You don't get to unilaterally annul it." He ground

d burrowed under his skin like a parasite, making i

hand back. "Mr. Boy

the adoring, desperate girl who used to cling to him no matter how coldly

obedience-but not this kind of obedience. Not indifference. Sh