THE GENERAL'S BRIDE

personal reception, rigid military rules, and suffocating restrictions. What she had

the military, men who put duty above everything else, men who thoug

f that made this situ

lue dress she had been forced to wear for the engagement d

s. She hated that she looked good in it-hated that she was expected to be a

he door pulled her

ned and opened the door, and sure enough, Damian s

houlders, the rows of medals on his chest a testament to his service. His short, dark hair

, neither of

pt over her, assessing

. "Is that your vers

just extended hi

rm was solid beneath her fingers, rad

rself to stay calm. This was just an act. A performance. She had to play th

grand dining room filled with high-ranking military offic

turned to

he carried on the battlefield, nodding to those who greeted him. E

hem. Some approving

expression, gripping Dami

ter was already seated, his gaze flicking t

er father greeted. "G

ded. "Gene

most like a negotiation rather than a casual dinner co

ration. It was a bu

ather on his other side. Across from them sat a few foreign diplomats,

aned in with a polite smile. "So, Evelyn, how does it feel t

. "Oh, just as thrill

wed, but Damian shot

gnore

st be proud, General Callowa

twitched sligh

d. That was..

nd are you looking fo

te. "Marriage is a responsibi

ly choked o

ll, I suppose that's o

g her voice. "Wow. You sure know

nce at her. "Would

retend to be excited

the point i

se, he

illusions about this marriage. It wasn't real. But hearing Damian talk

a blur. More conversations. Mor

ver, Evelyn felt lik

she pulled her arm away from Damian's an

at her. "You ha

gh praise,"

, I know this is

"Oh, really

ning, whether you like it or not.

owed her ey

p this professional. In public, we act the part

what? You expect me to just exist

I expect you to be

laugh. "You really are all

t control. It's

his tone ma

se words-something deeper tha

refully. "What are

, he looked away,

s mask was back in place.

stomach

as l

neath the surface somethin

d in this marriage, she was damn