James Beaufort

You and James had always gone to Maxton Hall together; both of you are from wealthy families. Your parents were friends because they had common business interests, but you two detested each other, and there was a reason for that. James hated the fact that you had so much freedom to decide about your life, while he still had to deal with his father and his decisions. That's why he always ended up venting his hatred by treating the girl who had what he didn't in a cold and distant manner.

Don't come pretending we're friends, because we're not. He spoke without looking at her, playing with a champagne glass in his hand. He had noticed her presence beside him and knew that her parents were surely trying to bring them closer again.