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“I’ll teach them a lesson they won’t forget, Yvette. I swear, if I ever lay hands on any of them?—”

But Yvette wasn’t having it. Stepping forward, she placed a hand on his chest, feeling the stiff tension of his muscles under her touch.

“No, Killian,” she said softly but firmly, her eyes locked with his. “Violence won’t fix this. It’ll only make things worse. You know that.”

She let her hand linger on him, her fingers pressing lightly against the fabric of his coat. Slowly, Killian’s fists unclenched, and his gaze softened, though the anger was still there, simmering just beneath the surface. He exhaled sharply, looking down at her.

“I just want to protect you,” he murmured.

Yvette sighed and reached up to stroke the side of his face, her thumb grazing his jaw.

“I know,” she said quietly, “but we don’t need to hide. We need to face this together. If we show them a united front, they’ll have nothing to say. They’ll eventually grow tired of it.”

Her words seemed to sink in, and Killian nodded slowly, though a storm still lingered in his eyes. He crossed the room to the desk, picking up a letter from the pile.

“I’ve been invited to a dinner party tomorrow night. An old Marchioness—Lady Colwick—who’s celebrating her 60thbirthday. It’s a small gathering, but it could give us a chance to show thetonwe won’t back down.”

Yvette’s breath caught in her throat as she processed his words. A dinner party, tomorrow? She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her. London was relentless, and though she had tried to prepare herself for it, the speed of it all was overwhelming.

“I… I don’t know if I can get used to this life,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s so fast. I feel like I’m always two steps behind.”

Killian turned toward her, his eyes softening as he took a few steps closer. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and there was something tender in the way he looked at her.

“You’ll get used to it, wife,” he said, his tone warm and reassuring. “And I’ll be right here, by your side, every step of the way.”

Yvette smiled faintly, grateful for the comfort of his presence. She knew he was right—she wasn’t alone in this. They would face whatever came next, together.

CHAPTER 26

The air at the dinner party was thick with the aroma of fine food, expensive perfume, and the low hum of chatter among theton. Yvette smiled politely as she and Killian greeted the hosts, the Marquess and Marchioness of Colwick.

The marchioness, a regal woman, wore an emerald gown that matched her sharp gaze. She gave Yvette a warm smile, the only genuine one Yvette had received all evening.

“I trust you are settling back in London well, Your Grace,” the marchioness said, her tone kind but knowing.

“As well as one could, Lady Colwick. Happy Birthday,” Yvette said with a small smile.

Killian placed a hand on the small of Yvette’s back.

“The pleasure is ours to join such a delightful gathering. Happy Birthday,” he said smoothly, his deep voice carrying an authority.

After the pleasantries were exchanged, Killian leaned down to Yvette.

“I’ll need to speak with a business partner for a short while. Will ye manage?”

Yvette offered him a tight-lipped smile. “Of course.”

As Killian walked away, she made her way to a table near the edge of the room, away from the prying eyes that followed her every move.

She’d barely taken a sip of the champagne in her glass when a shadow loomed over her. Looking up, she saw a tall, lean man with sharp features and a smile that didn’t quite reach his pale blue eyes.

“May I join you, Your Grace?” His voice was smooth but carried an edge that made her stomach turn.

“Yes,” she said hesitantly, the weight of his gaze unsettling her.

He seated himself gracefully, adjusting the cuffs of his jacket with an air of casual arrogance. “Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Lord Hilfern.”

Yvette stiffened as she recognized him as the man that made veiled comments about her family at the ball they had attended the night before.