02

"Ma'am, the General passed away so long ago. This household has no one else to rely on," my head maid whispered urgently beside me. "If Miss Juniper offends The Regency by acting so foolishly, we'll all be ruined."

"And breaking the engagement means returning the assets from the trust merger. We're talking about a fifty-million-dollar penalty!"

That last part jolted me back to reality. I nodded grimly.

I looked at my daughter. "This is madness. Marrying Tristan means a life of being waited on hand and foot. What kind of hardship do you think you can possibly endure?"

"I never knew you were so materialistic, Mother! What good is all this fabulous wealth if my heart is empty? Eating these gourmet meals is a punishment. Wearing these jewels is a torment. I don't want this kind of torture!"

Juniper shook her head in disbelief, as if she were seeing my true face for the first time.

Then, she turned and clutched the man beside her with a look of profound love. "Shane, for you, I'm willing to defy the most powerful people in the country. I have no regrets."

Shane Gentry was visibly moved. "Juniper," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion, "I will make something of myself. I'll prove to your mother that we can be happy."

They clasped hands tightly, right in front of me.

"Oh, Shane!" Juniper's eyes welled with tears.

"Oh, Juniper!"

"Oh, Shane..."

Their caterwauling made my head buzz.

My palm slammed down on the polished mahogany of the dining table, the crack echoing like a gunshot in the sudden silence. "Fine," I seethed, rising to my feet. "You two are so deeply in love? I'll grant your wish. Now, pack your things and get out with him."