Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 81

"Thank you for the offer, Mr. Grayson, but I'll have to decline," Serena said with a polite smile.

She had no intention of becoming Mrs. William. The Grayson family wasn't the kind of place she wanted to be involved with. She didn't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire.

William didn't push the matter. "I'll wait for you to change your mind."

Serena chuckled softly, not taking his words to heart. "If there's nothing else, Mr. Grayson..." She hadn't forgotten she needed to make a discreet exit.

William smiled slightly. "Must you leave tonight, Miss Sullivan?"

"Yes."

"Since you've made up your mind," he stepped aside, "but before you go, I think there's something you should know."

"And what's that?"

"Your shoes," he said, glancing at her high heels.

She looked down at her shoes, puzzled. "What's wrong with my shoes?"

"You shouldn't drive in high heels. Do you have a pair of flats in your car?"

Serena's lips twitched. How did William notice such a minor detail? Was he a mind reader or something?

He approached them, grabbed Serena's hand without preamble, and said, "Mr. Grayson, what brings you here? This is Alderburg, not quite the same as Northspire. You might find it’s best not to wander around."

William seemed unfazed by the underlying warning in Aaron's tone and simply smiled, "After Mr. Vance left, I was bored, so I wandered around and happened upon Miss Sullivan."

Serena paused her struggle. William was digging her into another hole! Sure enough, Aaron's hostility eased slightly as he turned his attention to Serena. "What are you doing here?"

"I got lost," she replied quickly, shooting a glance at William.

Aaron glanced at her sneakers and recalled William helping her change them. He tightened his grip on Serena's hand. "I'll take you home."