Looking Addison directly in the eye, Joanna said, “Apologize...and mean it. I know I’m not your wife in the true sense of the word, but this isn’t about being your wife. This is about respect, and I’m tired of being treated as if I don’t deserve it. So apologize and then tell me what this is all about, or don’t...and find yourself another date.”

***

They say eyes are the windows to the soul, and while Addison had always scoffed at the notion, as she sat alone in her study, she began to have her doubts. All she could think about were a pair of eyes the color of cognac rimmed in gold. Glassed over and filled with hurt, they had made her do the unthinkable. Standing on the stairs, she had hung her head and apologized...and she had meant it.

Being bested by logic or an argument founded on facts was one thing, but being beaten by righteousness, by the hurt in another’s eyes was entirely different. To feel was entirely different. Nothing and no one had ever pulled at Addison’s heart or made her rethink her words, but Joanna just did, and she had done it with only a look. One look that burrowed into Addison’s psyche, and undaunted by walls and attitude, it found its way to her heart, and the pang it caused would not soon be forgotten.

Shaken from her thoughts by the sound of something in the foyer, Addison made her way to the entrance hall just in time to see a nurse assisting Robert Sheppard from the lift.

Feeling another presence, Irene looked up. “Oh, Miss Kane,” she said. “I’m sorry. We didn’t know anyone was still awake.”

“Is something wrong?” she asked, looking back and forth between Robert and the nurse.

“No,” Irene said, smiling. “Robert just had a bit of a sweet tooth and wanted to raid the kitchen. He insists you have ice cream.”

Addison glanced at Robert, and the gleam in his eyes told her all she needed to know. She walked over and offered him her arm. “I’ll take it from here,” she said.

“Oh no, Miss Kane, you’re far too busy—”

“Irene, isn’t it?”

Having a sneaking suspicion she was about to be unemployed, Irene sighed. “Why, yes...yes, it is.”

“Well, Irene, I have this covered, so why don’t you go up and tidy or something. I’ll call you if I need you.” Noticing a flicker of doubt in the woman’s eyes, Addison said, “I promise. If we can’t reach the spoons or open the containers, you’ll be the first to know.”