Chapter 11

That stopped me. Just for a second. Louisa Granger. The only member of that genetically cursed family I'd actually liked. She used to call me her "darling girl," and she meant it. She remembered my birthday. She bought me books I actually read. She once told me I had a fire in me and that it was beautiful. Meanwhile, my own mother thought my jewelry designs were a hobby I'd grow out of, and that fire belonged in fireplaces or hell. "Come to dinner," Rhys carried on, his tone clipped. "Just don't say anything to her about... you know. Us." Of course he wanted me to lie for him. Again. "Wow. Brave of you," I said, my voice sharp enough to julienne a zucchini. "What happened to that big manly energy you were showing off with Catherine? If you're so smitten, why not bring her to dinner and introduce her to the fam? Or are you worried Mummy might not approve of your shiny new mistress?" He didn't reply. I didn't wait for him to. I hung up, tossed my phone on the sofa, and muttered, "Bloody