shoulder. A flesh wound, dram

concern was Victoria. He fussed over her, checking for injuries,

unfire, but his entire being had been a shield for Victoria, always. Sarah w

t away, trembling, not from fear for herself, b

s wound was treated, Mark finall

now laced with that familiar, feig

ived. Expensive, ostentat

p to wilt. She was no longer

mbossed invitation arrive

us for a small, intimate gathering at Preston Manor next Saturday. A celebration of sorts, and a chance for us

" felt like a thi

was a summons, not an invit

His shoulder was still bandaged, a visible reminder of his "sacr

ling her, using social obligation as h

nerational power. As they were ushered into a grand drawi

ing moment, she saw a flicker of something – discomfort, perhaps ev

n that cut deeper than any overt insult. He remembered who she was, what sh

owards them, resp

you could make it." He

re stopping in a vast, sun-drenched conservatory. Several other g

ce dropped, acquiring

rprise for you. A way for you to

in the center of the room. And beside it, a table

r expressions a mixture of cu

up her spine. This was not a c