The brunch buzz had barely faded when I realized I’d left my purse back at the sunroom. Typical. I had been too flustered during brunch, trying not to pass out under Liam’s gaze or get caught in Kelvin’s orbit, to remember something as basic as a handbag.

I sighed and turned back toward the estate.

The walk through the tiled corridors was quiet. Most of the family had scattered, some retreating to their rooms, others lounging by the pool. The silence stretched around me like a velvet ...