----yers of her dress.


    Tears of restrained fury welled at the corners of her eyes, but she wiped them away roughly.


    She couldnt afford to appear weakespecially not over the venomous words of that conceited noblewoman.


    The truth was, this was affecting her more than she wanted to admit.


    She had thought she could endure the fact that Elliot had a mistress after all, they didnt love each other.


    Here, everyone used one another for their own interests.


    She only had to secure her position, by any means necessary, to ensure a good future for herself and her daughternothing more.


    That was the n.


    But then why did it feel like there was a hole in her chest when she imagined him with her? Katherine leaned against the cold stone railing, gazing up at the moon, at the forest beyond.


    Themoners celebration seemed lively.


    The temptation to run in that direction, to lose herself among simple people, to escape the charade of her false life for just amoment, was almost too strong.


    "No, no, you cant run and let them keep talking about you.


    You have to face itits just one night," she steeled herself, squaring her shoulders.


    She lifted the hem of her dress slightly and decided to take a path along the garden, get some air, and then return to the hall.


    ---- But her peaceful walk across the grass was interrupted by something she stumbled upon entirely by identthrough the illuminated window of a library.


    Katherine pressed herself against the window frame, half crouched.


    She couldnt hear anything, but it was obvious that the man waiting inside was Elliot.


    Hadnt he told her he was discussing business in the gentlemens lounge? Lying bastard.


    Abad feeling crept over her, and before she could even try to reason it away, the door swung openand that whore slipped inside, closing it hurriedly, stealthily.


    It was exactly what it looked like.


    Brenda hade to meet with her lover.


    ook Elliot Elliot waited, somewhat anxious.


    He had already met with his spy to get updates on the South.


    He was still keeping that idiot Thesio entertained here.


    Now, he just needed to get through this situation as quickly as possible so he could return to Katherine.


    The thought of some man making advances on her, believing he wouldnt care, made his blood simmer.


    He wasnt stupidhe was jealous, masking his foul mood because of the ---- imbeciles who couldnt stop staring at her cleavage, only holding back out of respect for his presence.


    And to top it all off, he had no idea what the hell had gotten into Brenda with that whole dramatic love song stunt.


    She had never done anything like that before.


    Speaking of her...


    what the hell was taking so long?