Medical Fragrance

he Aldridge family. Crystal chandeliers dripped light across marbled floors, and gilded frames of ancestors lon

untains, all I saw were women in dusty old magazines Master kept hidden in his trunk. But now? Real women. Real b

d a young woman descend

he girl, tall and striking, had the sharp angles and icy elegance of a sculpture. She carried h

is who my father arranged for me, he had excellent taste. No wonder Master always said my fath

must be Graham Marcus! You look just like your father-G

ur father's collapse after the business failed. You were barely four. I meant to take you in myself, but they sai

ed me well. We've been secluded for years, but he always hoped I'd return

irl. "This is my daughter, Claire. Cl

a half-hearte

"You're even more beau

rled ever so sli

we'll take care of you. After dinner, I'll get you star

ous, but the words

my master sent me here not for a job,

lence followed. Wes

e change. Girls these days aren't fond of arranged mar

gree. "Are you saying you w

I'd be happy to introduce you. Claire's already being courted by some very

think I'm not good enough for

and venomous. "You're nobody. No name, no money, no connecti

nched. Every insult cut deep-not just a

past by meeting you, but this marriage is off. If you want a futur

o fulfill a promise my father made with your family-a promise made when he helped you in your

"That was then. You do

r called you Uncle. And remember-my father started from nothing, ju

rolled her eyes and muttered, "A

s father's eyes. That fury... that ambition. If he's anything like Vi

ed. "Serious

ing it... but if he really is a threat-the

intent flicker

----

tate glowing behind him like a monument to betrayal. He

, it's the middle of the night. What happened? S

ngagement, spat on my father's memory, and called me worthless. I don't car

he said quietly, "Then it's ti

with purpose as he

's