As Viscount Framerton's bloodless lips parted, everything retreated away from her like a tide-grass, crows, mist, as if she were rehearsing a play, holding the cold pistol, being told where to stand. A mistake. She must pull away.

"I said, back to back." As if she hadn't heard the first time, Viscount Framerton grabbed her shoulder.

She swallowed a gasp-maybe it was a gulp-as Kendall Winterborne took up position and his shoulder blades brushed hers. In all the time she ...