Samuel didn’t so much as glance at her.

His face, breathtaking enough to stop time, remained a cold, serene surface, like the still waters of a winter lake—no ripple, no stir, no trace of engagement.

It was Jasper, following Samuel to this social gauntlet, who broke the tense silence. “Let’s leave the unpleasantness aside for now. Since fate’s brought us together, Yvonne, how about you sing a couple of songs?”

Nathaniel chimed in with a sly ...