Rose in Chains
by Julie Soto
Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
Reeling from a cryptic note, Briony pushes to return to Biltmore by forging a workable partnership with Toven. Awkward practice dinners evolve from a blowup to tentative rapport. Briony gains key intel—Ilana’s role, tattoo constraints, Billium Meers’s escape, and Toven’s father’s location—before Serena walks in on their staged intimacy, raising stakes and embarrassment.
Summary
After a sleepless night, Briony scrutinizes the note reading “no dragon, don’t Worry,” debating its source and meaning. Concluding she must reestablish contact at Biltmore, she decides cooperation with Toven is essential and seeks clear rules to avoid him replacing her with Larissa.
Briony confronts Toven and proposes a private dinner to align on their public act. At the first dinner, she presses for information: Ilana’s mixed heritage and unusual latitude at Biltmore; the limits of Barlowe tattoos and Larissa’s narrow workaround; and that Billium Meers escaped Javis and went to Starksen. Attempting to “practice” closeness, Briony sits in Toven’s lap and kisses his neck. Toven recoils, furious that such intimacy in his house crosses a line, and storms out.
Undeterred, Briony invites him again, builds mental barriers, and resumes practice. During the second dinner, while seated in his lap, she asks about Toven’s father; Toven reveals only “Southern Camly” and that he’s not to be disturbed. The pair avoids another fight, and a fragile mutual ease begins to form.
Through the week, they continue short, staged intimacies—Briony curled to Toven, fingers in his hair—intended to pass scrutiny at Biltmore. The growing comfort unsettles Briony even as it serves their goal. On Wednesday, Serena Hearst walks in on Briony in Toven’s lap feeding him, prompting frantic denials, spilled wine, and mortification that underscores how precarious their arrangement remains.
Who Appears
- Briony (Rosewood)Protagonist; analyzes a cryptic note, pushes practice dinners, extracts intel, and forces fragile rapport with Toven.
- Toven HearstReluctant partner; shares guarded information, resists intimacy at home, then cooperates to refine their Biltmore façade.
- Serena HearstToven’s mother; unexpectedly walks in on their staged intimacy, causing embarrassment and tension.
- IlanaBiltmore hostess with unusual freedom; subject of Briony’s inquiries regarding access and influence.
- Billium MeersRevealed to have escaped Castle Javis and gone to Starksen, signaling resistance strength.