Golden rays slanted through the gauzy curtains, painting Ava's skin with warm light as she dabbed the final touch of crimson onto her lips. Her fingers paused mid-air as she caught her reflection in the vanity mirror.

The woman staring back at her was poised, elegant, with a hint of newfound confidence in her emerald eyes, she barely resembled the shell of a person who had arrived at the Cardwell estate three weeks ago, broken and uncertain.

She traced the slight curve of her jawline, her ...