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“I think you’ll find that’s Griffin’s job,” the duke’s deep voice ruh he doesn’t care either way

Isla’s gazeback as she realises I’aze has cemented me

Like a damn mannequin

“Griffin, get Holly a drink, would you?” She takes my arm and leads me to the sofa opposite Alexander

“What’s your poison, Hol?” Griffin calls across the room

I lick my lips as I refuse to look at my poison of choice

I’ve given up things that are bad for me

“Let’s havethe question on ht

Martinis are made and served by the butler, Mr McCain, who aze as he proffers oes down too quickly to notice the taste, but the second is crisp and deliciously dry The boys are engrossed in their respective iPads and no help to the stilted conversation as they are completely oblivious to the pre-volcanic atmosphere Meanwhile, Isla flaps around the room like a nervous bird At least until Mr McCain announces dinner

This iskind of unexpectedly fancy The fah to accommodate an intie table covered hite linens Candles are lit, and the laht is low

I know the faal cooks when he’s here, sure, but Mr McCain doesn’t stand on ceremony and serve Seriously, I’ve eaten with Isla and the kids at the kitchen table on nights when everyone was expected to load their own plate into the dishwasher afterwards

Griffin holds outhis uncle to do the sains And still, Mr McCain keeps his gaze frouess I’ until the rest of the staff hear how I’m with Griffin now They’ll hate me, I’m sure, and not just because he doesn’t have much of a fanbase at Kilblair But they’d no doubt hate otten his way

If I’d stayed on in the capacity he’d wanted me to

“This is really delicious,” I luehis way I stick my fork—one of three on the table in front of me, and snaps for me because I knohat each is for—into the shell of a North Sea crab, the meat of the crustacean seeped in koji butter, so I’m told Not that I have any idea what that is I heap a little onto a delicate sliver of sourdough and take a bite of the decadent deliciousness

“Oh, Sandy” Isla rolls the deliciousness around her mouth as she looks to the other end of the six-seater table—she sits toal”