Once they stepped out of the ballroom, James immediately let go of her hand.


    He tugged off his bow tie with a dramatic sigh.


    "God, I''ll never get used to dressing up like this. That bow tie was strangling me, you know?"


    Briony looked at him with a fond smile, the way one might look at a younger brother.


    "You reacted pretty quickly back there."


    She''d only imed James was her boyfriend on a whim, mostly because Barrie''s gaze had be far too predatory forfort.


    "That Barrie guy is trouble, you could tell right away!" James scoffed, "I noticed the way he was looking at you even when you were giving your speech! Guy''s a total creep. What, does he think those sses hide what he really is? Please."


    He added, almost spitting the words, "Honestly, the whole Lockwood family gives me the creeps."


    Briony nodded in agreement.


    "I was just surprised he knows Joe," she said, her expression turning serious. "I need to find some time to ask Joe how they met."


    "Definitely," James said. "And you should warn him—not to get involved with Barrie, business or otherwise."


    Briony nodded again.


    They walked toward the elevators together.


    It waste, and they''d already booked rooms upstairs; they nned to stay the night and head back to Northborough in the morning.


    When the elevator doors opened, Briony stepped in first, James following close behind.


    By the time Stewart left the ballroom, the elevator doors had already closed.


    Lorna rushed after him, grabbing his arm.


    "What is wrong with you? Barrie''s still here. Get a grip."


    Stewart was staring at the closed elevator, his whole posture rigid.


    "She''s with James now..."


    "So what?" Lorna hissed, keeping her voice low. "Mr. Dney''s been at her side for over four years. Now she''s divorced, it''s only natural he''d finally have a chance."


    Stewart seemed to fold in on himself, shoulders slumping as if crushed by the weight of it all.


    It was almost pitiful, the way despair seemed to drain the life out of him.


    Lorna rolled her eyes at the sight.


    "Oh,e on, I was kidding. They booked two separate rooms for the night-l checked."


    He shot her a look sharp enough to cut.


    She just rolled her eyes again.


    "Stewart, you''re not nning to haunt Briony from beyond the grave, are you?"


    He pressed his lips together, silent. Hisck of response said it all.


    "Seriously..." Lorna shook her head. "You''re worse than a ghost that just won''t leave."


    "I know I don''t deserve her," Stewart


    said, voice hoarse, eyes


    seeing her with another man just


    can''t control myself." But


    and


    "Then don''t look!" Lorna tugged his arm. "I dropped a multimillion-dor deal overseas toe back here, I''m not here to watch you pine. Come on, let''s go have a little chat with Barrie."


    Stewart drew a slow, steadying breath and straightened up.


    When he opened his eyes again, they were cold and steely.


    Lorna instantly slipped back into her usual role, looping her arm through his and ying the perfect wife.


    Together, they headed back into the ballroom.


    ...


    The next morning, after breakfast at the hotel, Briony and James set off for Northborough.


    That evening, Lorna stopped by to pick up little Mario.


    She handed Briony a small gift bag.


    "Famous French perfume-I thought this scent would suit you. Call it a little thank- you."


    Briony epted it with a small, appreciative smile.


    "Thank you."


    Ever


    Brice she''d realized Lorna


    had


    genuinely cared for little Mario, Briony''s attitude toward her softened considerably.


    Lorna nced inside, then leaned in conspiratorially.


    "Actually, I''ve been meaning to ask-are you and Mr. Dney... together?"