s shoulder, his voice dipping int

night," Bail

*

t the night would stretch endlessly. But when her eyes flu

about this; Baila knew sh

going to

was wrapped in Rowan's embrace. His arm was firm around

ried to ease herse

h lingering sleep, vibrated against her skin as his arm instinctively tigh

t had been different. He had fallen asleep effortlessly.

idn't want to

tside. "I have to get up," she murmured, forcing calm into her

there enough servants in this house?

she was Phoebe.

," Baila said, untanglin

his eyes. His sleep-induced haze lifte

, slipped on her clothes, and left

clung to him, always finding an excuse to stay close. Yet s

*

Phoebe turned toward her with a dark expression. "Baila, it's 6:05. You spent five extra m

er in bed. But this morning... This morning, she had been wrapped in Rowan's warmth. His arms ha

ebe's glare. "If you're so concerned, then

t the night wide awake, stewing in frustrat

t hand. Phoebe's expression shifted. "

blin

Phoebe. Why was everyone sudde

hed into her pocket, pulling o

s eyes

s. People often said a woman's scent could reveal everything about her, and thi

frenzy among New York's elite. Socialites and high-society women scrambled to get the

veted release-the very one Phoebe had begged

ila ha

ou get this perfu

the perfume to

rie

she had a frie

s meant that if she wanted to sleep beside Rowan, she ha

a across the face. "You ugly bitch! Why would you need perfum

e's wrist just befo

n them. A small smile touched her lips. "Oh? So it's not a was

ou

lash out, some movement caught her eye. The maste

cally and stumbled backward.

wan walked ov

ated fall, the feigned hurt-it was all an act. She li

Rowan's voice was devoid

r to apologi

frame straight. "I didn't push her.

eeve, whining, "Honey, she

ngerously. "I'm giving you one last chance,"

ieved

his bed. Yet in the daylight, hi

re than a stand-in, a temporary placeholder w

ked victoriously, her eye

ain Baila wo

. Then, without warning, she stepp

A

tumbled backward, lan

ot up h

up with tears

e. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Hayes," she said

ked at her

l excuse me, I have work to do." With that

s completely out of line-you have to do something!"

lingered on Baila's retreating fi

eeve, her face streaked with tears. Thick layers of makeup clun

had been different. Her skin had been

on feel so starkly diff

im in. But in the da

rrowing. "Was it really you w