“Wait.” Daniel’s voice cut through the small, awkward silence between them. “Why don’t we have lunch together? For old time’s sake?” His eyes flicked to Isabella, already plotting, already desperate. “What do you think, Isabella?” His tone was gentle, coaxing. He wasn’t above using his daughter if it meant more time with Marian—if it meant a single door opening where all others had been slammed shut.
Marian froze. Katherine’s brows lifted. They exchanged a long look, one of those silent conversations that only lifelong friends could have. Marian’s instinctive reaction was immediate—she started shaking her head, lips forming a subtle no, eyes warning Katherine not to interfere.
But Katherine, being Katherine, interfered anyway.
“Okay, why not?” she announced with a bright, too-innocent s
