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Livia stared at her aunt in confusion. “You hired a photographer for our reunion? Why?”

“Don’t be silly. Why would I hire him for our reunion? He will be there to take Celeste’s engagement pictures.”

“Celeste is engaged?” Livia didn’t know why she was shocked by the announcement. Celeste was twenty-seven years old. Well past the usual age for Benoit women to get hitched. But then again, it was astonishing that any man would willingly tie himself to the shrew. “Congratulations,” she choked out.

Delilah pulled her lips into a tight smile. “Yes, we’re all very pleased. And Celeste is delighted. I’ve never seen her so happy.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Winston.”

“Who?”

“Winston Durand, the son of our neighbor, Gerald Durand.” The smile widened with a smug satisfaction. “And his heir.”

A distant memory clicked in Livia’s brain. The Durands weren’t as infamous as the Benoits, but they did have a large mansion not too far away from the Willows and a thriving car rental business.

“I’ve heard the name, but I don’t think I’ve ever met him.”

“Probably not. He attended a private school on the East Coast and spent his summers in Ireland with his mother’s family. His grandfather is Sir Rowan Sullivan.”

Livia shrugged. Was she supposed to be impressed? “Is that why you came by? To tell me about the engagement?”

“I also wanted to make sure that you packed a formal gown. We’re hosting an engagement party next weekend.”

“At the Willows?”

“Where else would we announce our daughter’s engagement?”

Livia groaned. So much for thinking things couldn’t get worse. Now she was not only going to be stuck in the wilds of the bayous, surrounded by a family who’d tossed her away like trash, but she was going to be forced to endure Celeste’s in-full princess form, prancing around and demanding constant attention.

Great. Just great.

“Then maybe we should reschedule the reunion,” she suggested, prepared for Delilah to give a sharp shake of her head.

“That’s impossible. Your grandfather’s will is quite clear on the dates he expects us to be together. Besides, Celeste wanted to schedule the party when we are all together. We’re family.”

“If you say so.”

Delilah’s smile faded, her features tightening. At one time she’d no doubt been a beautiful woman, but her pinched expression had left behind lines that her expensive cosmetics could no longer disguise.

“This is an important time for Celeste. And for me,” she chided. “I expect you to attend the various events we have planned for next week and smile for my very expensive photographer. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

“I suppose we’ll find out.” Livia abruptly sat down, grabbing a file off her desk. She’d had enough. More than enough. “Until then, I have to actually work to pay my bills. So if you don’t mind …”

There was a tense pause, Delilah clearly surprised at the abrupt dismissal, then, with a click of her tongue, she was turning to head out of the office.

“I’ll see you next week,” she said as she stepped out the door.

“Can’t wait.”

Livia listened as Delilah marched down the hall, followed by the rattle of the glass front door being slammed shut. She squeezed her eyes shut as she braced herself for the shrill alarm that abruptly blasted through the air. For the past few weeks the security system had developed a glitch and the smallest thud or bang against a wall could set it off. She meant to have it fixed, but she never seemed to have the time.

There was the sound of footsteps hurrying toward the storage room where the control panel was located and a second later the ear-splitting noise was brought to a merciful end.

Livia heaved a weary sigh as Marcel appeared in the open doorway, his expression wry.

“I’m not sure, but it’s possible there was actual steam coming out of that woman’s ears. I think that’s what set off the alarm. What did you do to her?”