Tammie was supremely confident. He was young, talented, and handsome-of course Celia was smitten with him. His arrogance was backed by his lineage; the Gonzales men, from his poet father Sage to his uncle Stuart, were all blessed with good looks and artistic talent.

After delivering his demands, he stood back, awaiting Celia's overjoyed and emotional response. He fully expected her to be moved, to see this as the glimmer of hope she'd been waiting for after chasing him for so long.

Ann was just as thrilled. If she had known Celia was still this obsessed with Tammie, she wouldn't have endured so much humiliation from Caitlin.

A medallion? A chance to get close to him? A grand party for Ann?

His audacity was so shocking, it almost made her laugh.

She had never realized the true depths of his shamelessness. It figured that anyone who associated with a person like Ann would be just as rotten. She couldn't believe she'd ever wasted her time on such a creature.

Fighting the urge to retch, she turned to the guards, her voice cold as ice. "Who let these two in?"

Tammie froze, a frown creasing his brow. This wasn't going according to plan. Based on Celia's past behavior, she should have been ecstatically agreeing to his every condition, probably even proposing marriage on the spot. Something was very wrong. Or perhaps, he thought, she was angry at the guard for treating him and Ann so poorly. Yes, that had to be it.

"I-it was me," the guard stammered, stepping forward. Had he let the wrong people in? His face paled. "This gentleman... he said... he said he was the one you liked."

"Nonsense. As if Miss Palmer would ever fall for such a low-life!" Joie, Celia's assistant, stepped forward, her voice sharp Guards! What are you waiting for? Throw these two trespassers out of Palmer Manor!"

Low-life? The insult ignited Tammie's fury. How dare this servant speak to him that way? be

ported an accusing finger at voie. "Celia, are you going to let your help speak to me like this?"

He expected Celia to fire Joie on the spot, to make her kneel and beg for his forgiveness.

"She's absolutely right," Celia said, crossing her arms. "You are a

shameless low-life, Tammie. And

you do not have permission to use -

my

pay first name. With that she gave a sharp nod to the guards.

"Take them away."

Several bodyguards swarmed forward, grabbing Tammie and Ann and starting to drag them toward the gate.

Even as their hands closed around his arms, Tammie was still in a state of shock.

What was happening? Had Celia gone mad?