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

“Yes, and they’ve been seated with their families.”


“All right.” I began counting off on my fingers who’d be attending. “Mr. Wyndham’s mother and cousin and whoever else he wants—”


“That would be his aunts and their families, his uncles, and Ms. Armitage.”


I nodded. I liked her. “All right, Phyllida Carter and her date, Hunter, Mrs. Wales, and Pierce. Oh, and Mrs. Miller, Granddad’s nurse. These are the only attendees. The other guests shouldn’t be here this early anyway. How did that happen?”


“I’m sure I can’t say. What am I to do with them?”


He turned pale. “Chef Edouard is still preparing—”


“Mr. Webster, get the bar open. If Chef doesn’t have anything ready, serve them cheese and crackers. And if the string trio is here, have them start playing.”


“Oh, my. Oh, my.” For a second it seemed as if he was going to cry. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Beauchamp-Wyndham, but they’ll be playing for you.”


Chapter 100