Chapter 167

Agnes Thornton recalled Evelyn Carter's instructions and quickly adjusted her tone. "I noticed it when I assisted you with your gown last evening! That enormous bruise frightened me terribly!"

Nathan Blackwood's mind flashed back to that electrifying moment when he'd cradled Evelyn against his chest. Her feverish breath had scorched his skin, her slender waist molding perfectly into his grasp like molten silk.

In that instant, an unfamiliar protective urge had surged through him.

Nathan's throat constricted as raw desire darkened his gaze.

Yet within moments, his expression frosted over again.

The proud Blackwood heir had already humbled himself with an apology, only to be rejected, slapped, and publicly humiliated. This was beyond endurance.

His momentary compassion now seemed utterly misplaced.

A discreet knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Sir," came the butler's voice, "Mr. Julian Montgomery has arrived. He's waiting in the drawing room."

Nathan's lips thinned. "Direct him to my study."

Downstairs, Cassandra Blackwood nearly squealed with excitement upon hearing of Julian's unexpected visit.

She rushed to don her custom-designed blush satin dress, applied meticulous cosmetics, and doused herself in expensive perfume before practically floating toward the grand staircase.

As she flung open her bedroom door, her younger sister Eleanor came into view - the autistic girl clumsily hopping along the hallway tiles while clutching that hideous stuffed bear.

Cassandra's nose wrinkled in disgust. She stalked forward and shoved Eleanor violently.

A startled cry echoed through the corridor as the fragile girl tumbled forward, landing hard on the marble floor. Even in her distress, she protectively cradled the mangled toy.

"Pathetic!" Cassandra sneered, flipping her glossy curls. "I've told you a thousand times not to play in the halls!"

Today's good mood spared Eleanor worse treatment. Cassandra simply stepped around her trembling form and continued downstairs.

Once alone, Eleanor slowly picked herself up, wincing from fresh bruises. Over years of torment, she'd learned this painful lesson - appearing simple-minded often lessened her sister's cruelty.

"Miss Eleanor!" Agnes gasped, rushing to the girl's side. Her kind eyes brimmed with concern. "What happened? Did you trip?"

"I'm fine," Eleanor whispered, biting her lip. "Just clumsy."

Agnes's gaze hardened. "Was it Cassandra again?"

"No! No!" The terrified girl hugged her bear tighter and scurried away, leaving the housekeeper shaking her head at such needless cruelty.

Meanwhile, Julian had been pacing the gardens. Upon reentering the manor, he collided with a heavily perfumed Cassandra.

"Mr. Montgomery!" she cooed, batting her lashes. Her saccharine tone could rot teeth. "What brings you here? Visiting Nathan?"

"Obviously," Julian replied coolly.

Having been Nathan's closest friend since Eton, he knew the Blackwood family dynamics intimately. Penelope Whitmore's scheming nature made him instinctively distrust her daughter.

Yet Cassandra, blinded by vanity, believed her beauty and pedigree made Julian's conquest inevitable. She seized his arm, pressing her surgically enhanced curves against him.

"Let me escort you, darling," she purred, plump lips puckering.

Julian recoiled as if touching poison. "Unhand me," he snarled. "That revolting perfume is contaminating my suit."