Free Journey's End (Gilded Promises) by Renee Ryan Page B

from the crowded dance floor at a surprisingly fast pace. Just as well they were finished dancing. She was in no mood to concentrate on the complicated steps of the waltz while also matching wits with the man.
    Her current opponent was no overdressed, overfed, oversoft wealthy gentleman she could outthink. Caroline wasn’t afraid of him. Except, well, yes, she was a little afraid of him.
    Knowing when to retreat was essential to survival. She started to pull away and make some excuse to leave the party. Montgomery caught her midstep and tugged her back to his side. His scowl told her he’d been thinking during the silence that had fallen between them.
    Coming up with conclusions better not pursued.
    “Let’s find your new friend, shall we?”
    New friend? Oh, right, Elizabeth. He meant Elizabeth. He was testing her. Under the circumstances, she had two choices: retreat or continue as though nothing were amiss.
    Her gaze cut back to Montgomery’s face. His closed expression told her this was not a man easily fooled with clever stories or inane words. That left her one choice.
    Go on the offensive. “I noticed the way you looked at my friend Elizabeth. Am I to assume you are courting her?”
    Eyes so blue they appeared silver in the muted light locked with hers. “That is not an appropriate question to ask of a gentleman you just met.”
    Ah, she’d hit her mark. “Perhaps not. But I find that I like Elizabeth and only wish to ensure her”—Caroline paused as if searching for the proper word—“happiness.”
    Montgomery’s grip on her arm tightened. “Why do you care about Elizabeth’s happiness? You have only just met her.”
    “True.” Caroline dragged her gaze free of his and put a shrug in her voice. “But she has left a favorable impression.”
    Not what she’d expected to feel for a woman she hadn’t known existed before two weeks ago. Not just any woman. Her cousin. Her . . . family.
    A tug of unexpected yearning pulled at Caroline’s heart, making her wish for things she could never have. Security, a home, a future free of fear and uncertainty. The air grew heavy around her, suffocating her ability to draw in a decent breath. She fanned her fingers near her face, trying desperately to look bored.
    “Elizabeth has that effect on people,” Montgomery said at last. “Everyone she meets likes her immediately.”
    “A fine quality, indeed.” Realizing how hard it was going to be to hurt the girl—her cousin—even indirectly, Caroline forced out her words in a steady voice. “She is, I think, a very special woman.”
    “Yes, she is.” Montgomery dropped an unmistakable warning in his voice that left no doubt as to where his loyalty lay.
    Refusing to make a mistake now that she’d come this far, Caroline held her ground without hesitation.
    Tonight was only one small step in her long-range plan.
    Relax, Caroline. Stay focused.
    She carefully released the air in her lungs.
    “Ah, there you two are.” Lucian Griffin stepped in front of them, forcing them to halt. “We were beginning to wonder where you’d disappeared to.”
    Taking in her surroundings, Caroline realized Montgomery had led her far away from the dance floor and had directed her toward a more private spot. How had she not noticed the route he’d taken?
    In a slow, careful move, Montgomery released his hold on her arm. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Harding. It was a pleasure to get to know you better.”
    A pleasure? Now he became all politeness and impeccable manners, when only moments before he’d oh so subtly warned her away from Elizabeth.
    Jackson Montgomery was proving a master at artifice, equal to her own skill. Did he play cards? If so, Caroline didn’t fancy a go at facing him across a table. He would be ruthless.
    Of course she, too, could be ruthless when it came to executing a plan.
    “You are quite welcome, Mr. Montgomery,” she said with equal politeness. “I hope we may repeat the experience in the near