Kipp Llewellyn, the proverbial poor little rich boy, can have whatever he wants, except the one thing he wants most: his father’s love. When the opportunity arises to obtain it, Kipp jumps at the chance, even though it means breaking a date with “Ham,” the man he’s sure he’s falling in love with. However, the opportunity turns out to be an arranged marriage with his father’s biggest competitor. Even worse, Kipp discovers his proposed groom is Hyde Wyndham, the man of his dreams. Having lived in a gilded cage his entire twenty-one years, Kipp refuses to settle for anything less than love and walks away from both his father and his future husband. Hyde didn’t achieve his position in the financial world by taking no for an answer, however, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make Kipp realize he’s wanted for himself, including wooing the young man he intends to marry, prenuptial agreements be damned. He’s certain he’s succeeded, until Kipp learns something that puts an insurmountable barrier between them. Will Hyde be able to overcome Kipp’s doubts, and will Kipp realize that some things are worth the sacrifice?

Two Lips, Indifferent Red

“Chef will be pleased you approve. Now, of course we don’t have the cake ready, but let me show you a sketch of what the baker has promised us. As you can see, it’s eight tiers and almost six and a half feet tall.”


“It’s beautiful.” I didn’t have to ask for ivy and gardenias this time. The cake was awash in them.


“And the flowers are made of wafers and spun sugar.”


“I’m so pleased you think so.” He positively beamed.


“Indeed, yes.” He handed me a very elaborate card covered with elegant swirls and curlicues. I studied it intently. One thing I’d learned at Armand U was that fancy could hide a multitude of sins.


And sure enough…“Who selected these wines?”


“Did my fiancé approve this list? Did Ms. Armitage?”


“They were very busy. Mr. Stuart saw no need to disturb them.”


“I’ve heard many things about Mr. Stuart, but none that indicated he was a connoisseur of wines.”


Chapter 62