Chapter 229
"Emma!"
Stella let out a startled cry. Even though she was wearing her seatbelt, the sudden swerve of the bus sent her tumbling right into Cedric Clarke's side-
Cedric's reflexes kicked in, and his hand shot out to steady Stella. In that instant, he felt something soft brush against his cheek.
Stella had accidentally kissed Cedric on the face...
"Sorry!"
She jerked back immediately, about to stammer out an explanation when the bus lurched again.
Thrown backward by the motion, Stella's eyes widened in alarm!
"Watch out!"
Cedric reached for her just in time, but the bus swayed again—
Stella landed right back in Cedric's arms!
And then, before either of them could react, their lips met-firmly, unmistakably.
Their eyes locked, both of them staring in disbelief, each more stunned than the other.
Stella: "..."
Cedric: ""
Honk, honk-
The bus's horn echoed through the winding mountain roads.
everyone was tossed about,
twisted and turned, forcing the driver to
the seatback in front of her, not daring to glance at Cedric
bus kept rocking, and more than once she found herself leaning helplessly toward him. This time, though, she was smarter-she turned her head to the window, so even if she toppled over, at least she could avoid another embarrassing
Cedric. Strands of her hair, carrying a faint scent, brushed past
a heartbeat, but Cedric couldn't
seen the famously composed Dr. Clarke,
Silveridge at eight
Northborough, Silveridge was dry and pleasant, the air crisp and
spotted Carney and Gwendolyn White
"Professor, Mrs. Winslow!"
and Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn said, taking Briony's suitcase and handing it to
the luggage without a
with a smile, then asked, "You've both had
"But I had the housekeeper make some chicken
her arm through
had called a few days
was dragging
end the marriage. She needed the papers signed so she could move to Silveridge and
influence was formidable-Briony would have a tough time fighting
to make Stewart budge, but as Briony's mentor, he had to at least
he saw Carney lingering
"Professor Winslow."
"Mr. Wentworth."
They shook hands.
at Briony up ahead before turning back to Carney, lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile. "If you have
always several steps ahead. Since he'd waited here for
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