She crossed her arms and the twinkle of a challenge danced in her eyes. “You expect me to believe you’ve found another woman who is as equally enthralled with you as you are with her? A woman who can bear your moods? Who doesn’t weep with boredom when you go off on your academic tangents? Sebby, I grew to love you despite those things. Our match, arranged as it was, worked because you are a good man, as loyal as a hunting dog and as predictable as the chimes for dinner, not because you kept me entertained. But I’ve always been a resourceful woman and capable of doing that for myself. Why do you think we hosted so many balls and dinners and house parties?”

And there was the side of Evangeline he’d come to despise. The cutting, cruel woman who could tear him down faster than she could look at him. That side of her had been evident even in their early years of marriage, but he’d chalked it up to her youth and unhappiness at the arranged marriage.

His time away from her had helped him see some truths, but it had done little to thicken his skin. Her words hurt, even after all these years. Perhaps in some part because he knew they were true. The pain pushed his lie to new heights. “My fiancée thinks none of those things. She adores me.”

She blinked. “You’re engaged?”

Bloody hell. He’d said fiancée. There was no retreating now. He lifted his chin. “Yes. Happily.”

She snorted in disbelief.

Red edged his vision and logical thought gave way to spontaneous reaction. “Come to dinner at my house and see for yourself. Tomorrow at seven. That’s safely after sundown.”

“Seven it is, then.”

Something dark sparked in her eyes but he ignored it. “I’ll send Greaves with the details.”

He stormed out before she could say another word. He was fuming. He’d expected her to be petulant and egotistical. That’s who Evangeline was. A spoiled, willful child of a woman. But for her to carry on like she was his last hope for companionship—and that he should be grateful for her willingness to return to his life? Her nerve was astonishing, even for Evangeline.

She had no appreciation for what he’d been doing for her all these years. The way he’d watched over her to the best of his abilities and taken care of her financial needs without question, to say nothing about turning a blind eye to her disloyal ways. He could have sent someone to gather proof of her affairs and used it to dissolve their relationship in the eyes of the council, but he hadn’t. He’d clung to the promise he’d made and his old-fashioned sense of responsibility.

He stopped at the driver’s door to his car, seething with rage. His heart was irreparably broken. He’d acknowledged that years ago. He’d learned to live with the pain of her abandonment and betrayal. But this assumption that he was waiting with open arms to take her back, no apology needed, this was galling.

He got in and slammed the door shut. She’d see how wrong she was. How he truly didn’t need her anymore. How very over her he was. Tomorrow night’s dinner would be the absolute end of his emotional relationship with Evangeline.

Or perhaps… Perhaps it would be the start of a new relationship with her. One in which he held the upper hand and she finally saw him as more than just a…loyal dog. Tomorrow night’s dinner would change everything one way or another.

He could always tell her about the promise. But that wasn’t part of the deal he’d made and he was a man of his word. That promise would remain his secret. He’d kept it these many years, he could keep it awhile longer.

He shut his eyes and swallowed as the fine points of the impending dinner came back to him. There was one small detail he’d have to work on. Quickly.

He did not actually have a fiancée.

Tessa had thought being the dean of library studies at a private academy sounded intriguing, but after Jenna had given her a tour of the campus and allowed her to linger in the utterly gorgeous library that she’d be in charge of (three floors, stained glass windows, dark wood paneling, antique tapestries, and the most up-to-date touch-screen catalog system she’d ever seen), Tessa thought she might weep if she didn’t get the job.

She couldn’t stop smiling. If this actually happened, moving to Nocturne Falls might be the smartest thing she’d ever done. She nudged her sister. “The rare-book room has medieval manuscripts.”

Jenna nodded. “Cool, right?”

“Cool? Don’t be such a Philistine. They’re priceless works of art that give us a glimpse into another age. They’re the ability to time travel on a page. And I would be in charge of them.”

“Like I said, cool.” Jenna pointed ahead. “That’s reception. I’ll just tell her we’re here for the interview, then I’ll introduce you to the Ellinghams and you’re on your own.”

“Thank you.” Tessa sighed. She couldn’t expect her sister to understand. Jenna was a cop. The things that excited her were guns, catching criminals and cold beer. And those things were great, if you were a cop. But Tessa’s mind needed art and literature and beauty. Those were the things that kept her sane and reminded her of all the good life had to offer. Those things and her pursuit of them helped balance the parts of her she wasn’t so fond of.

Jenna nudged her. “You ready?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go. They’re waiting. The receptionist will take us back.”

The woman smiled at them. “Right this way, ladies.”