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chill ran through Trevor. What the hell was going on between these two?
    Good God, was he reading things right? He’d never remotely considered the idea that his father might remarry, especially to someone so young. But Uncle Miles had—not to one as young as this, but certainly much younger than his first wife. No wonder Celine fussed over Lindsey and Felicité. Mon Dieu, if she hadn’t wormed her way into their good graces. And here he’d entertained thoughts of . . . oh, hell.
    â€œI’m going to dismiss myself, too,” he said. “Allow me to see you to your room, Mrs. Kirkland.” He walked past his father and lightly touched Celine’s elbow, guiding her gently from the room and up the stairs in silence.
    â€œCozy little scene you were playing back there with my father,” he growled as they approached her bedchamber.
    Celine whirled around, her back against the door. “What do you mean by that remark?”
    â€œPerhaps I should be asking you that question. Just what do you have in mind, working your way into my family the way you have? Lindsey this, Felicité that, and, oh, Justin,” Trevor mocked her. “Are you in the market to become the next Mrs. Justin Andrews?”
    She raised her hand to strike him. He caught her wrist. Emerald eyes blazed dangerously through narrow slits. “Why, you—”
    â€œBastard?” Trevor lifted an eyebrow. “Why don’t you say it? Everyone else does.” His grip tightened on her thin wrist. Her rapid pulse coursed through him. Despite his anger, he couldn’t seem to release her.
    â€œLet me go,” she demanded in a wintry voice.
    Trevor’s grip tightened in response. He stared down at her, saying nothing and fighting a terrible urge to kiss her. What the hell was wrong with him? His gut churned at the idea of desiring someone his father was interested in.
    â€œApparently you do not know your father very well,” she retorted. “You have no idea what he has done for me. He has been gracious enough to allow me to live here during my mourning period, which is now over. He has arranged for several social functions this month, which will allow me to feel comfortable in society again. Also, he has arranged for the sale of my property, which will be final in one month and which will provide me the funds to live out my days in peace. Alone.”
    Christ, he had things all wrong. He opened his mouth to apologize, but she cut him off.
    â€œYour father knew my husband’s parents before they were deceased. He took me in, a near stranger, because I had no one to turn to after I was widowed and in no position to run a small plantation alone. I will soon leave here, as has been my plan all along. Most likely I will never see your father again. He and I share a friendship that will last forever in our hearts, no matter how many miles separate us. But I doubt you would understand a simple camaraderie between two people of opposite genders. From what I hear, and have observed, all you are able to perceive in a woman is a night’s shallow pleasure. I should feel sorry for you, but instead I find you despicable.”
    Despite her cutting words, relief flooded his chest, followed by a spike of guilt. “I beg your pardon, I misunderstood.” His grip on Celine relaxed, and he slowly let her arm down, never shifting his gaze from her cold green eyes, void of the golden flecks he’d seen before.
    She turned and rushed into her room, slamming the door behind her.
    A slow grin settled about his mouth. He’d deduced one emotion that made the color of her eyes shift about like a kaleidoscope. Now to figure out a few more. He whistled lightly as he strolled to his bedchamber.

Chapter Three
    Celine paused at the bottom of the grand staircase and peered across the hall into the dining room. Her grip tightened on Lindsey’s arm when she saw the family gathered in a small circle.