Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

With just Stella and Ronald left in the room, Ronald glanced over at Stella with a teasing smirk. "If you keep going, you might get your face stuck in that bowl." Stella shot him an exasperated look but didn't say anything.

Ronald's demeanor had shifted completely from the stern expression he had shown Finley earlier. Now, he was all smiles.

"Come here," he said, his voice gentle.

Stella reluctantly moved over to sit beside him. Ronald reached out and began to untie the scarf around her neck.

"What are you doing?" Stella exclaimed, clamping her hand over the scarf to stop him.

If he took it off, everyone would see. And if they all started asking questions like Finley did, what would she say?

"You really think keeping it covered means no one knows?" Ronald raised an eyebrow at her.

Stella's heart sank. "So everyone knows now?" she asked, her eyes pleading as she looked up at him.

If word got back to Ferrowland, her mother and Yvonne would surely find out. The thought made Stella's mind spin with anxiety.

Ronald's sleeve, feeling

Ronald placed a freshly baked biscuit into her bowl. His laugh was soft

scared," Stella admitted

She could handle anyone else finding out, but facing her mother's questions? That

eyes never

was all your idea?" she asked, her eyes

eyes as deep and mysterious as a

she had kept her feelings locked away, uncertain of Ronald's true intentions. She didn't want to bring disgrace to the Lugar family

her as "my youngest daughter" at social gatherings, making the situation between them all more tangled. Ronald gently lifted her chin with his thumb and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Who would dare?" he said, his voice full

a beat, and her eyes welled up

across her

that. I

has any right to meddle

Ronald was right. No one had the authority to challenge the Lugar family. If Ronald was willing to take the risk, surely no one else would dare say a word. She sniffed and looked up