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Stepping inside the narroood-paneled room, no one noticed her at first She was able to observe Bloodsworth with his two dozen guests undetected Candlelight played over the ladies in their shining jewels and fine satins and brocades Even the gentlemen were resplendent in their rich jackets and colorful cravats

She recognizedThe duke sat at the head of the table She watched with a detached sense of bemusement as he chatted with Joanna, seated to his left The quintessential English rose with her corn silk ringlets bouncing on either side of her head She giggled at so Bloodsworth said Her rosy pink lips curved in the hted of s Attentive and kind Now Joanna was the recipient of his attentions How ecstatic she azes drifted her way The Marchioness of Ridgefield’s gaze landed on her and she screa clatter She fell against the back of her chair in a near swoon Her husband quickly grasped her shoulder to keep her fro to the floor

The duke swiveled around in his seat

Everyone stared at her now A hush fell over the room

Her husband pushed to his feet, his eyes wide His lips worked and she knew he did not knohat to say He did not knohat she would say What aspersions she ht cast upon him

His shock filled her with immense satisfaction She felt in utter control of the

He had not expected for her to stroll back into his world He thought he had effectively silenced her Terrified her into running until one of his underlings caught up with her and finished what he had started on their wedding night

"Annalise!" Joanna cried, rising to her feet She stepped closer to Bloodsworth, her lovely blue gaze full of panic She reached for his ar the cuff of his jacket as if desperate to htly shook her hand off, casting her a rather helpless look "Joanna"

Ah She recalled Bloodsworth mentioned he had plans in the works Apparently those plans had involved Joanna Plans her return had just thwarted

The duke returned his gaze to her Only she could see the venom in his eyes as he proclaimed, "Annalise, you’re alive! My prayers have been answered"

To her credit, she did not laugh With a brittle se as he stepped forward to press a kiss to her cheek His hands held her shoulders Only she felt the dig of his fingers bruise her through her cloak Stepping back, he demanded, "But where have you been?"

"A kind farmer and his family took me in I must have slipped and fell over the boat--"

"Just as everyone suspected," Bloodsworth declared a bit too loudly "The wedding chaht, I fear" He cupped her cheek "Dear girl, you were quite unaccustomed to such revelry"

"Indeed, I could not remember myself at first" She brushed her head "I injuredpassed between the him as a murderer At least not yet

Bloodsworth was all action then, uests as he ushered her toward the door, eager, presuive me I’m sureremarks, even as their eyes told a different tale They would all long to hear more of Annalise’sshades of green Her father strode forward and seized Bloodsworth’s arhter--"

The duke clapped hiuests We shall discuss entleaze on Annalise, raking her scornfully, obviously annoyed that she had the presumption to be alive

"Come," Bloodsworth cajoled "Do not leave, ard"

A long ood" Nodding in satisfaction, the duke led her fro room The instant they cleared the roo

"Quite a spectacle, wife I did not even credit you with such stupidity"

"Truly? I think ine that?" His feet pounded out his ire as he dragged her up the stairs with hiain after I’ve very publicly returned from the dead, now can you?"

"I’m the Duke of Bloodsworth I can do whatever I bloody hell want" He thrust her ahead of hi fro herself to again be alone with a man anted her dead

He shut the door after theround

"You should have kept your word and disappeared--"

"As you kept your word? You hired someone to kill me"

One side of his mouth twisted "He failed, I see I suppose if you want soht a hand to her neck His fingers gently circled her throat, grazing lightly,her skin crawl

"Only you did try to do it yourself And you failed, too"

The flesh near his eye jun that she had annoyed him "What of your lover?" he asked, the hand still on her neck "He seehtened at thehe believed her She needed hi her His hand ski over her heart "Indeed? A shahtfully mine"

Revulsion swamped her She lifted her chin defiantly "The opportunity for that has passed, Your Grace"

He laughed bitterly "True Even assu married to you" He surveyed her "You’re still a lowborn bastard"

"So let us rectifyYou aren’t quite the dull object I o And your looks area divorce," she snapped, recalling Owen’s earlier words

"Irounds for divorce--"