At Blackwood Estate, Lady Blackwood sat on the sofa in the living room, leafing through a stack of photographs while mumbling to herself: “The Montgomery girl has such elegant poise, and the younger Windsor daughter looks quite charming. And there’s Ravena Harrington, who just completed her Master’s at Cambridge—she has such a scholarly air about her. I rather like her as well.”

The elderly lady looked up at Asher with a smile. “Asher, dear, do have a look at these photographs. See if any of them catch your eye.”

Asher’s eyes were distant, his thoughts elsewhere. He had just briefly caught Kimberly’s gaze in the garden. Her complexion had looked terribly poor, her lips completely drained of color. Was she ill?

“Asher,” Lady Blackwood raised her voice, the smile fading from her face. “Your grandmother is speaking to you. What on earth are you daydreaming about?”

Asher pulled himself back to the present and looked up. “I beg your pardon?”

Lady Blackwood set down the photographs, clearly displeased. She adjusted her silk shawl and spoke deliberately: “Ravena Harrington just completed her Master’s. I met the girl a few days ago—she’s gentle-natured and quite pretty. The day after tomorrow, you and your mother should pay a visit to the Harringtons. You ought to spend some time getting to know Ravena.”

Asher sat on the sofa, his eyes darkening. “I’m afraid I’m otherwise engaged.”

Lady Blackwood frowned, giving him a stern look. “Too busy even during the holiday?”

“You’ve worked all year. Take a few days off for yourself during the holiday, and do as you’re told. Go with your mother to see the Harringtons.”

Grace, hearing this talk of matchmaking, felt distinctly uncomfortable. They had barely broken off the engagement with Kimberly Jordan, and already Grandmother was arranging introductions? How long had it been since they’d severed ties with the Jordan family?

Grace affectionately linked arms with the elderly lady, softening her voice. “Grandmother, Asher’s engagement with Kimberly has only just ended, and you’re already arranging for him to meet Ravena Harrington? People will talk.”

Laurina chimed in from the side: “That’s right, Lady Blackwood. It’s not as if Asher is short of prospects. Every eligible young woman in London would jump at the chance to marry him. There’s really no need to fuss.”

Lady Blackwood cast a displeased glance at Asher. “I’m not concerned about him finding someone. I’m worried he’s still thinking about someone he shouldn’t be.”

Laurina pursed her lips, glancing between Lady Blackwood and Asher. Blimey, so Lady Blackwood didn’t approve of Asher being with Kimberly? That was surprising—Kimberly came from an excellent family, was beautiful, and had an impeccable character. What could the elderly lady possibly find objectionable?

Asher’s lips were set in a tight line. “Grandmother, I’m going to the study to see Grandfather.”

With that, Asher stood.

“Wait just a moment. Do take what I’ve said to heart, instead of always trying to avoid the issue. You’ve broken your engagement with the Jordan girl. Stop thinking about her. How are the Harrington or Montgomery girls any less suitable?”

Asher paused and turned back, his eyes dark. His lips curled into a sardonic smile. “If you’re so fond of them, why not marry them all into the family? I don’t want any of them.”

Laurina secretly gave him a thumbs-up, her eyes full of approval. That’s my cousin, she thought. What a backbone!

Lady Blackwood was furious, her expression rigid. “Listen to yourself! You never used to speak to your elders this way. How have you become so rebellious?”

Asher’s tone was deliberately casual, almost designed to irritate. “Grandmother, I suggest you worry less about my affairs. With your heart condition, you really ought to be more concerned about yourself.”

Lady Blackwood’s chest heaved with anger, her breathing becoming uneven. “Asher, you never used to speak to your grandmother this way. Has that Jordan girl been poisoning your mind against us? I’ve noticed that whenever Kimberly Jordan is involved, you seem to become a completely different person.”

Asher gave a scornful laugh, a fleeting desolation passing through his eyes. “Poisoning my mind? You’re overthinking it. We haven’t spoken in quite some time.”

Lady Blackwood’s tone brooked no argument. “Then you will go to meet Ravena as arranged.”

Asher turned and began walking upstairs, lazily dropping two words: “I won’t.”

“You’re becoming increasingly insolent!” Lady Blackwood shouted at his retreating figure.

Grace gently patted the elderly lady’s back, trying to calm her. “Grandmother, please don’t upset yourself.”

The elderly lady took a deep breath, replying irritably: “Grace, just look at your brother now. Speaking to me with such disrespect. He was never like this before.”

Grace answered with feigned concern: “It’s true. Ever since he became involved with Kimberly Jordan, he’s been like a different person. He never would have spoken to you this way before. It must be Kimberly’s influence.”

Lady Blackwood asked, “You think it’s because of Kimberly Jordan too?”

“Yes, Grandmother. Every time Kimberly is mentioned, Asher’s character completely changes. I can’t think of any other explanation except that she’s been turning him against you.”

“That’s not quite fair, Grace,” Laurina interjected, casually eating nuts from a bowl. “Were you hiding under their bed to hear Kimberly poisoning Asher’s mind?”

Grace turned to Laurina, her expression darkening. “Well, no, but—”

Laurina didn’t let her finish. “Did Kimberly whisper something in your ear to turn you against your grandmother?”

Grace’s face darkened further as she gritted out: “No.”

“Well, isn’t that strange,” Laurina said with a smile. “You didn’t actually hear anything, yet you’re accusing Kimberly of meddling. If you ask me, you’re the one stirring up trouble.”

Laurina, as the daughter of the prestigious Kensington family and a celebrated actress, didn’t fear the Blackwood influence like others might. She had never held Grace in high regard. Laurina had disliked Grace since childhood, always feeling there was something disingenuous about her. During their teenage years, Grace had constantly engineered little scenarios to attract Asher’s attention. Being a typical oblivious young man, Asher hadn’t noticed anything amiss, but Laurina had always seen through Grace’s little tricks. Long ago, Laurina had labeled Grace as a fake. Now, the evidence confirmed her assessment. Grace was indeed a master of deception.

Laurina’s hostility was undisguised. Grace could no longer maintain her act and glared at Laurina. “What exactly are you implying?”

Laurina smiled sweetly. “Exactly what I said, dear.”

Grace was about to lash out when she suddenly remembered the elderly lady sitting beside her. She immediately switched tactics, adopting a pitiful expression and softening her voice to sound wounded: “Laurina, do you have some issue with me?”

“Yes, and you’d have to be completely blind not to see it,” Laurina rolled her eyes. “I absolutely detest fakers.”

“Laurina, have I offended you somehow? Why are you so hostile toward me?”

Laurina smiled. “Not just blind; but deaf as well.”

Laurina raised her voice, enunciating each word clearly: “I said, I. Really. Hate. Fakers!”

After saying this, Laurina smiled brilliantly and deliberately affected a higher pitch: “Did you hear me clearly that time, darling?”