“There was not a dry eye in the ballroom.” Mama squeezed Papa’s hand. “Well done, darling.”
Papa turned a bit ruddy. “I only hope it was enough to gain the guests’ support.”
“Between your savvy and my resources, this is a battle we will not lose. I hope you will not forget your friends, Your Grace, when you soar into the political stratosphere,” Mr. Rothwell said indulgently. “The papers are hinting at a position for you in the Prime Minister’s cabinet, and I have several ventures in the works that could use your leadership.”
“I am not interested in politics,” Papa said. “Only in putting an end to a heinous injustice.”
“Never say never, Your Grace—”
Mr. Winslow was cut off by the arrival of Greaves.
“Pardon, Your Graces. Mr. Chen is here,” the butler said.
Why is Wei so early? Looking at the guests, Glory felt a thrum of panic.
“What the devil is he doing here?” Papa clipped out.
“I told him you were occupied at present,” Greaves said. “But he is being rather insistent.”
Seeing the gathering storm on her father’s face, Glory cut in hastily.
“I invited Mr. Chen,” she blurted. “Please bring him in.”
Lines bracketed her father’s mouth as he shot her a foreboding look. Because they had company, however, he could not say more. Hearing Wei’s approaching footsteps, Glory got to her feet. She tried to keep her manner casual; it wasn’t easy because her impulse was to run to him and greet him with a kiss.
She needed to do this right, however. To gain her parents’ consent for their marriage, she and Wei had to put their best foot forward.
And that includes not betraying that we consummated our love last night.
Her intimate muscles quivered in memory, the slight ache making her feel a bit strange. Making love with Wei had been everything she’d dreamed of and more, and she didn’t regret it, not for a second. This morning, however, she’d felt a sudden vulnerability, an awareness that, in following her heart, she had crossed a threshold of no return.
For she had committed the ultimate sin for a well-bred lady: she’d given her virginity to a man outside of marriage. She was a woman of experience now. It was exciting…and a teensy bit scary.
Anticipation welled as the door opened. Wei came in, cutting a handsome figure…although she was surprised that he’d chosen to wear his native attire rather than the English fashions he usually favored in public. His eyes met hers, and her smile faltered.
Something is wrong. Why does Wei look so…so agitated?
To the outsider, he might seem his usual calm self, but she knew him far too well. His eyes were the black of a starless night. The kind of dark that drained all brightness from a room.
“Mr. Chen,” she said haltingly. “You...you’re early.”
But he wasn’t looking at her. His gaze had locked on Mr. Rothwell, and her heart stuttered at the bloodthirsty rage that contorted his features.
“You,” he said in a savage tone. “You are going to pay for what you did to my family.”
Mr. Rothwell blinked, looking uncertain. Papa and Mr. Winslow both rose.
“What is the meaning of this, Chen?” Papa said shortly.
“That blackguard.” Wei jabbed a finger at Rothwell; his voice trembled with unleashed fury. “He murdered my parents and my sister. And he is going to pay.”
Wei moved, lightning fast. So fast that Rothwell didn’t have a chance to react. In a heartbeat, Wei had him pinned to the wall, a hand on his throat.
Shaking off her paralysis, Glory dashed over.
“What is going on?” Hearing Rothwell’s desperate gasps, she tugged at Wei’s arm, but it was futile, his grip like steel.
“Stop, darling,” she said desperately. “You’re going to hurt him.”
