me, streamed down her stinging cheek. She turned to

How could she hit me? The gown I'm wearing

plicating him, forcing him to vo

old, unforgiving one. He was trapped. But his programming, hi

ienne, apologize to Sophia. Right now. I don't care wha

le shift occurred at the entrance of the b

ory grace that commanded absolute attention. The second, a step behin

and Alistair F

to lower the temperature by several degrees. He was the

her expression changed. He was Brant's uncle,

lating dramatically. "Mr. Carlisle, you have to help me! Vivienne...

nt fraud in front of the highest authority in the room. The guests

of lint on the carpet. His eyes, dark and intense, move

e, her voice calm and clear, carrying across the silent

e, familial. It instantly aligned her with him, turning them

almost imperceptible,

ch, it's an honor. I seem to have a situation here. Two gowns, both claiming to be the Seraph

ting a confidence that was more dam

of fear tightening in her stomach. She didn't know who he was, but the defer

asses, looking to his em

"Alistair. My future niece-in-law has made

re niec

just an acknowledgment of her engagement to Brant. It was

of shock, confusion, and a surge of

olor. She looked as if s

lightly to Vivienne. "Miss Ster

The crowd held its breath as he began his examination, his movements precise and methodic

ute, broken only by the frantic, terr