When Stewart walked in, Gwendolyn White suddenly found that the strawberries in her mouth had lost all their sweetness.


    "What is he doing here again?"


    Briony looked just as surprised.


    James got to his feet. "Mr. Wentworth, it''s awfullyte for uninvited guests. Don''t you think you''re overstaying your wee?"


    Stewart barely spared James a nce before turning to Gwendolyn and giving her a curt nod.


    Gwendolyn''s impatience was in as day—she had no intention of entertaining him.


    But Stewart seemed entirely unfazed by her attitude. He turned his attention to Briony.


    Briony narrowed her eyes, regarding him with a chilly stare.


    The tension in the room was almost palpable.


    Stewart had an uncanny way ofmanding any situation, always calm and detached, never giving anything away no matter how awkward things became.


    As the elder in the room, Gwendolyn understood that Stewart wouldn''t show up at this hour without a reason.


    Her voice was cool as she said, "Mr. Wentworth, is there some urgent business that brings you here sote?"


    With equal calm, Stewart replied, "I''m here to take my wife and daughter home."


    "Little Nina''s already asleep," Gwendolyn said. "I don''t get to visit Northborough often, and I was hoping to spend a few days with Bryn. She and Nina will be staying here with me at the Skybreeze Retreat, so there''s no need for you to worry."


    At that, Stewart raised a dark eyebrow and looked straight at Briony.


    Briony''s voice was frosty. "You should go home."


    Stewart''s lips pressed into a thin, stubborn line.


    The standoff grew even more rigid-neither side willing to give an inch.


    James opened his mouth to interject, but Stewart spoke first.


    "Since Mrs. Winslow''se all this way to Northborough, and as her son-inw, I really ought to show some hospitality. It wouldn''t be right otherwise."


    Stewart''s gaze lingered on Briony, his tone casual. "Bryn, why don''t you bring Mrs. Winslow over for dinner tomorrow night?"


    Hearing Stewart call her "Bryn" sounded so jarringly out of ce.


    Briony looked away, irritation written on her face. She didn''t even bother responding.


    "That won''t be necessary," Gwendolyn interjected briskly. "I''m morefortable here at the Retreat. There''s no need to trouble yourself, Mr. Wentworth."


    Stewart smiled thinly. "Of course,


    Mrs. Winslow. In that case, I''ll have some groceries sent over


    Kavel


    tomorrow-and a chef as well. Just a little gesture from your son-inw."


    Gwendolyn was at a loss for words.


    So, he was determined to have this dinner, one way or another.


    She rubbed her temples, resigned. "Do as you like. It''ste. You should head home—we''re both turning in for the night."


    "I won''t keep you up any longer, then." Stewart''sposure never faltered as he


    bid them goodnight and turned to leave.


    The entire time, he didn''t so much as nce at James.


    "I''ve never met anyone so shameless in my life!" James grumbled, dropping back into his seat. He looked at Briony. "Bryn, I''m t. He sorry you have to put up with that arrogant jerk every single day."


    Briony pressed her lips together, her expressionplicated.


    Stewart''s odd behavior tonight left her strangely uneasy.


    What was he scheming now?


    Gwendolyn patted her hand reassuringly. "Don''t dwell on it. Just rx and enjoy your stay here with Nina this week."


    Briony nodded quietly.


    A sleek ck Mercedes rolled down the quiet road as Stewart made a call to Cedric rke.


    The phone rang several times before finally being picked up amon urrence since Ste gave birth.


    Stewart was used to it by now.


    When the call went unanswered, he didn''t bother calling again. Instead, he drove


    straight to the private club where he and his friends often met.


    He had barely parked when Cedric''s call came through.


    Stewart answered, "Finished changing diapers?"


    "Yeah! The little rascal peed all over me," Cedricughed, halfining and


    half brimming with unmistakable affection.


    Listening to him, Stewart felt an unexpected pang of envy.


    The feeling caught him so off guard that he almost chuckled at himself.


    Irwin had been with him since the


    day he was born, but all the hands-on parenting had always fallen to Briony. He realized, almost guiltily that he''d never really paid attention to those details of raising a child.  s?novel


    All he knew was that Briony managed it all perfectly.


    As for him, he was always working-gone for a week, sometimes two, or even a month if a big case came up. Being away from home for long stretches had be his normal.