Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

When Stewart walked in, Gwendolyn White suddenly found that the strawberries in her mouth had lost all their sweetness.

"What is he doing here again?"

Briony looked just as surprised.

James got to his feet. "Mr. Wentworth, it's awfully late for uninvited guests. Don't you think you're overstaying your welcome?"

Stewart barely spared James a glance before turning to Gwendolyn and giving her a curt nod.

Gwendolyn's impatience was plain as day—she had no intention of entertaining him.

But Stewart seemed entirely unfazed by her attitude. He turned his attention to Briony.

Briony narrowed her eyes, regarding him with a chilly stare.

The tension in the room was almost palpable.

Stewart had an uncanny way of commanding any situation, always calm and detached, never giving anything away no matter how awkward things became.

As the elder in the room, Gwendolyn understood that Stewart wouldn't show up at this hour without a reason.

Her voice was cool as she said, "Mr. Wentworth, is there some urgent business that brings you here so late?"

With equal calm, Stewart replied, "I'm here to take my wife and daughter home."

"Little Nina's already asleep," Gwendolyn said. "I don't get to visit Northborough often, and I was hoping to spend a few days with Bryn. She and Nina will be staying here with me at the Skybreeze Retreat, so there's no need for you to worry."

Stewart raised a dark

voice was frosty.

pressed into a thin,

grew even more rigid-neither side willing to

his mouth to interject, but Stewart spoke

Northborough, and as her son-in-law, I really ought to show some hospitality. It wouldn't

Briony, his tone casual. "Bryn, why don't you bring Mrs. Winslow over

sounded so jarringly

away, irritation written on her face. She didn't even

here at the Retreat. There's no

thinly.

case, I'll have some

Kavel

chef as well. Just a little gesture from your

was at a loss

to have this dinner,

temples, resigned. "Do as you like. It's late. You should head home—we're both turning in for

keep you up any longer, then."

goodnight and turned

he didn't so much as glance at

into his seat. He looked at Briony. "Bryn, I'm t. He sorry you have to put up with that

lips

behavior tonight left

he