Embers and Edict

sheets of the guest room dreaming of soft cloud

er. Her eyes shot open just in time to see a blur of movement-two blonde haired boys, identical in eve

elled, leaping over her

artled gasp, then a

outed with glee, practically la

flailing around her like lightsabers in a Sta

st pillow. She whacked the first boy off the bed. The second squealed and

ed across the luxurious carpet, knocking into a

ing them with her pillow. "Back to whatev

he hallway-then froze

ing voice from the corridor. "Where

the room again. They scrambled behind Lillian, who had just stepped into the hallway i

dled behind her legs, peeking out like guilty puppies. "I w

, catching her breath. "But I have to admit, that

aid, shaking her head. "You two," she addressed the boys, "are no

e immediately whinne

u did !" Jul

rply. Go back to your roo

e the reluctant, s

stakable clack of h

ection, body perfect as if it was sculptured by an artist and eyes sharp enough to cut

spotting the twins behind Lillian.

ied to melt furthe

o Bianca, and her lips cu

r one of Nathaniel's women. How lovely. Nathaniel

ught off guard by

anca could process a response, he

ess. "Actually, this particular 'kitten' is our chef. She's here to make

, at least this one comes wi

, Camilla? Because from the looks of it, parenting isn't

This was

tland, where both hailed from wealthy families with legacies and high expectations. Despite their different temperaments-Camilla, a disciplined

lumber parties in Lillian's Manhattan townhouse or Camilla's countryside estate, and even discussed raising the

rother. And the man Lilli

ust more girl time-until it wasn't. Lillian had never confessed she had feelings for James, and when Camilla found out abou

ut was ca

d some form of truce for the sake of the family, the tension was still very much alive-ben

here th

he next verbal missile, a gentle

voice warm and painfully

ggered look at Lillian,

out like she was escorting fugitives. "Let's hope

hall, Lillian rolled her ey

morning," she said dryly. "S

d Bianca an awkward smile, half-apology, h

y fell sil

ng to be an interesting three days' she tho